All parties involved in the so-called Beatles/iTunes deal have now all denied any talks taking place. Apple Inc. has flatly denied the rumors and have called them ‘unsubstantiated speculation’. A spokesman from Apple also commented ‘this is not news nor is it a scoop’. Enough said.
The Beatles’ label Apple Corps and parent company EMI have both refused to comment on the matter.
British newspapers brought this story to light over the weekend when they published the rumors.
The reported deal is rumored to be worth over $400 million. At that amount, Apple would have to sell around 41 million full Beatles albums to earn back that amount. That’s a lot of music.
To speculate (and I love to speculate), I’d still expect a deal to shakedown at some point in 2008. Even Sir Paul himself has commented that the Beatles’ catalog should be available sometime this year.
[via Billboard]
bobdmac // 11/03/2008 at 8:05 am
This article and its headline are ridiculous. Apple said it was “speculation” and “not news,” but they didn’t say it was untrue. That’s really a non-denial denial, hardly a “flat” denial.
Similarly, EMI and Apple Corps’ “refused to comment,” which in the world of public relations is closer to confirmation than denial.
Until a company says something along the lines of “This story is totally false,” which is called a categorical denial, I think the story is still alive.
bobdmac // 11/03/2008 at 12:30 pm
Nice to see you’ve changed the story without leaving a trace of the wording that prompted my comment above. This is an example of why the traditional press has trouble respecting the internet news community. Your “reporting” here lacks any evidence of understanding journalistic practice or integrity. First, you misconstrue the comments by Apple, EMI, and Apple Corps, saying that all had denied the rumor about the deal, when in fact they had not, and then, instead of stepping up and admitting you erred, you emend the article, pretending you never said any such thing and making my comment look irrelevant.
Mr. Mayor // 11/03/2008 at 2:39 pm
Bob,
I have not touched the story at all! You’re entitled to your opinion on the matter, but I ensure you, what I had originally posted is still there. I would never change up a story like that. I have more morals, ethics and integrity than that.
Simone Renee // 11/03/2008 at 3:05 pm
Bob- I must defend Mr. Mayor in this scenario! I read this blog as soon as it was posted and I know, for fact, that it has not been changed since your comment.
How can you claim that the article has been updated to make your comment look irrelevant when it still makes the same claims that you criticized in your initial comment?
You say, “That’s really a non-denial denial, hardly a “flat” denial.” And Mr. Mayor’s article still has the original material stating his observation that everyone, indeed, has flatly denied the claims.
We allow all commentary on Mactropolis, but please do not directly attack us under false pretenses.
Simone Renee