14 DAY TRIAL // Not that long ago we heard that the Beatles catalogue on iTunes was imminent. Many undestood that the content would be available soon, maybe in time for the 40th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper. Now, it looks like it might actually be some time before the imminence happens and according to George Harrison's widow, the end of the year would be soon. After the settlement of the lengthy trademark dispute between Apple and Apple Corps Ltd., everyone was excited that the last obstacle had been cleared. Indeed, from some of the statements made, the Fab Four's tunes were practically knocking on the door, begging to be let in. That doesn't seem to be the case and it looks like there are still bumps in the road.
"'We just have a few things to work out elsewhere," Olivia Harrison told Reuters. It seems that while the Beatles CDs have been remastered, the organization wants to get the artwork ready for the physical packages.
Those thinking that it won't be long now, might want to think again. When asked if the Beatles catalogue would be available online by the end of the year, Olivia Harrison said, "'Oh God, yeah. Hope so ... I don't know if it would be the end of this year, but it would be nice. Imminent, let's put it that way."
From Paul McCartney's statement that the deal for the Beatles catalogue was "virtually sealed" to maybe the end of the year is quite a stretch. Though nobody ever actually put forth any precise dates and words like 'imminent' and 'virtually sealed' are not exactly conclusive, half a year or more is not exactly the shortest of waits, especially if you have already been waiting for some time. With any luck, the Beatles catalogue will finally be available for purchase online sometime in the future, but preferably before the sun imminently burns out.