EMI Admit To Deadlock With The Beatles Over iTunes

Record label EMI has admitted that negotiations to make The Beatles back catalogue available on iTunes have reached a deadlock.

A company source said various parties have been unable to reach an agreement “but we really hope everyone can progress soon.”

The label responded after Sir Paul McCartney told reporters in London yesterday that negotiations between EMI and The Beatles licensing company, Apple Corps, had “stalled”.

"We'd like to do it. We are very for it, we've been pushing it. But there are a couple of sticking points, I understand,” he said.

Fans have long called for The Beatles music to be introduced to the digital age.

At present, they are one of only a handful of bands whose music isn't available on digital music stores such as iTunes.

Sir Paul, who left EMI in 2006, told Gigwise at the press conference that he didn't think major labels had reacted fast enough to the download culture.

“I think the majors at the moment, I’m not dissing them, but I don’t think they really know what’s going on,” the former Beatle told Gigwise.

CLICK HERE to read his full thoughts.

You can see a selection of rare Beatles shots from CBS’ exhibition, which is on display at the Beatles Story until November, below...