Apple will announce that its iTunes store will begin selling music by The Beatles on Tuesday, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Recordings by the legendary British rock band, which broke up more than 40 years ago, will be going on sale for the first time, the Journal reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the situation.
The arrival of Beatles songs on iTunes, and for legal Internet downloading in general, has been delayed for years. Apple has settled more than one trademark dispute with Apple Corps, the band’s record company. In addition, members of the Beatles and their estates have had many battles over royalties with EMI, the company that owns the band’s recordings. Recordings of Beatles songs by other artists are already available.
The Journal said it had not been able to learn the details of the deal.
On its website, the famously secretive Apple is promising “an exciting announcement from iTunes” on Tuesday at 7 a.m. Pacific Time.
“Tomorrow is just another day. That you’ll never forget,” read a teaser on the Apple home page. The cryptic message could partly refer to the Paul McCartney song “Another Day,” which includes the line “It’s just another day” in its chorus.