Michael Jackson's death won't affect any Beatles-iTunes deal
This story was corrected at 9:48 a.m. Details are below.
(Credit:
Michaeljackson.com)
Michael Jackson's position in long-time efforts to make the much-coveted Beatles catalog available digitally is one of the most misunderstood aspects in the very complicated negotiations.
The sudden death of one of the world's best known entertainers on Thursday will have no impact on whether songs from the Fab Four will finally make it to iTunes and other Web music stores. Rumors aside, no deals are imminent, music sources told CNET News.
Jackson bought ATV Music Publishing, the company that owned the words and music to 250 Beatles songs, nearly 25 years ago. He sold a 50 percent share in the company to Sony in 1995 and together they operated Sony/ATV. The actual recordings of the Beatles playing their songs is owned by EMI, one of the four largest music labels, and Apple Corp., the company that looks after the Beatles' business holdings and rights.
What that means is that if you want to record and release a version of "Help," then you need to compensate Sony/ATV. A filmmaker wishing to add a recording of the Beatles performing the song to a soundtrack must negotiate with EMI and Apple Corp.
In the latter scenario, Sony/ATV would collect a share of that deal and could veto it since the company owns the copyrights to the music and words. That typically doesn't happen, and to be clear: Sony/ATV has never stood in the way of a digital deal for the Beatles catalog, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations. Indeed, the sources said that Jackson and Sony/ATV welcomed it.
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Jackson was in financial trouble at the time of his death. Jackson borrowed twice against his Sony/ATV stake, according to the Journal story. How that will affect Jackson's stake in Sony/ATV, which was held in trust, is unclear.
"Jackson was incredibly proud of his association with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and his role in the company," said a company representative. "He was a great partner."
Correction: Michael Jackson borrowed against his stake in Sony/ATV, and how that will impact the company is unclear.
Greg Sandoval covers media and digital entertainment for CNET News. He is a former reporter for The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. E-mail Greg, or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sandoCNET. 
RIP MJ, Let Sadness see what Happy does, Let Happy be where Sadness was
Innocent until proven guilty
Unless someone doesn't like the fact that there never was a conviction.
In that case the kangaroo court of opinion is enough to 'prove' guilt, and you go on slandering the guy.
Nice.
FYI: OJ is also guilty.
Hopefully his family will be well taken care of and there arent any overly strange circumstances surrounding his death so everyone can move on.
Get over it. It is not going to happen.
If you really want Beatles songs on your iPod/iPhone, then buy the CD's,rip them to MP3's, and then transfer them to your device. You will have the music on your iPod/iPhone, and you can **** about when Beatles songs will appear on iTunes.
If you want the Beatles songs in your iTunes library, you have to do it the old fashioned way by ripping it or downloading it for free.
The body wasn't even cold before the family was already trying to make money off it. Greed shows its head in the worst of times. :/
Don't you love how these tabloids get hold of stories that even the interested parties don't know about? Forget about the fact, just make it up.
- by Merkel1 June 29, 2009 8:00 PM PDT
- Michael Jackson is a genius and one of the best entertainers ever just like the Fab Four. Witnessing such talents and living among them in the same generation is an honour. Where would we be and how colourless life had been and will be without them having touched our lives with their music.
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(23 Comments)