Andre Yoskowitz
17 Nov 2010 23:20
Yesterday, we reported that iTunes had begun selling the music catalog of the Beatles, marking the first time legal digital versions of the tracks are available online.
Apple, EMI and the Beatles knocked out a deal after a few months of negotiations, moving forward mostly when new EMI CEO Roger Faxon came on board in June.
Today, industry sources are saying that Google and Amazon both tried to secure rights to the tracks for their digital music stores, but were clearly unsuccessful.
All indications are that iTunes has exclusive rights to the tracks until January, at least.
After it was clear that a deal was in the works, Apple, Google, and Amazon were approached by Apple Corps CEO Jeff Jones (Apple Corps being the arts-promotion company where the Beatles are the board members) over the availability of the digital rights.
Apple won, flat out.
One senior music exec made it clear why: "Who else are they going to do a deal with? Apple dominates the digital market."