EMI sues US Web site over Beatles music online

EMI confirmed it had filed a copyright infringement suit against BlueBeat.com in a US court earlier this week. BlueBeat.com offers songs for 25 US cents each, around one quarter of what a song would typically cost on the dominant online music retail site iTunes, owned by Apple Inc. On offer is an extensive list of Beatles albums, both original and recently remastered versions, despite the fact that the band has yet to agree with music providers to the release of its cherished catalogue online. A year ago, former Beatle Paul McCartney said the band was keen to make its music available on Apple’s iTunes music store, but that negotiations had stalled. The settlement of a trademark dispute between Apple and The Beatles’ company Apple Corps Ltd had raised hopes among fans and record company executives that the way was finally clear for the catalogue to make it online.