Post Lawsuit: Will There Be A Beatlemania Invasion On iTunes?

Now that Apple Computer has won against Apple Corps, many question if Steve Jobs response, “We have always loved the Beatles, and hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store,” will indeed become reality. Fact is, Apple Corps will indeed appeal Justice Edward Mann’s ruling in which he stated, “I find no breach of the trademark agreement has been demonstrated,” faster than you can say come together. That’ll drag this thing in the mud a bit longer before anything else happens for sure. But what about the music?

This lawsuit is more about logo than music in which Apple Corps is accusing Apple Computer in infringing a 1991 agreement. Apple Corps is stating that the Cupertino-based company is violating that agreement by placing its logo on iTunes and iPods. That’s the crux of the case.

Truth is, Apple Corps, like any other company, and Capitol Records along with Parliphone over seas, need to continue the revenue stream. With the CD releases of “The Beatles: The Capitol Albums,” we have already witnessed revenue renewal. The labels will desire to continue that trend and will eventually go to the download domain. Choices will have to be made. “Who to go with and who will get us the most money?” will be the two biggest questions of executives. Right now, only one store can answer that.

In the end, will the labels see that iTunes is its only avenue in the digital cyberspace world or will it be far later in the future before that decision is even made and another avenue is built to drive on? Personally, I don’t see The Beatles catalog lasting too much longer in its lost weekend. Bags will be packed, airplanes boarded, and Steve Jobs met. Heck, I think it’s even possible we’ll see “Please, Please Me” before that fabled full screen iPod comes to daylight. Maybe I’m just a dreamer.

[tags]itunes,download,lawsuit,beatles,apple corp[/tags]