Billboard reports that Beatles iTunes Negotiations have stalled. Quoting Paul McCartney, it appears as though the problem is between the Beatles and their label, EMI—not between them and Steve Jobs.

Paul: “We are very for it, we’ve been pushing it. But there are a couple of sticking points, I understand. So the last word I got back was that it had stalled, the whole process. They [EMI] want something we’re not prepared to give them. Hey, sounds like the music business. It’s between EMI and the Beatles. What else is new.”

EMI: “We have been working very hard to secure an agreement with Apple Corps to make The Beatles’ legendary recording catalog available to fans in digital form. Unfortunately the various parties involved have so far been unable to reach agreement, but we really hope that everyone can make progress soon.”

It’s important (and annoying) when reading this stuff to distinguish between Apple Corps (Beatles) and Apple Inc (computers, iPods, etc.).

Regardless, who cares if this stuff is ever sold via iTunes? I just want the albums properly remastered and reissued on some kind of lossless media.

MP3: The Fireman – “Nothing Too Much Just out of Sight” from Electric Arguments. (courtesy of Spinner.)