The Long and Winding Download

Looks like the music download business might get another big boost. A little band called the Beatles–one of the last major bands holding out from licensing their music for digital distribution–is finally cashing in it seems. According to Reuters, the group is kibitzing with a variety of services about making their valuable catalog available online. What took them so long?

Then again, they’re not the only fogies holding out. The Rolling Stones only recently went online, and Madonna still hasn’t jumped in this game. Why the wait? I’m sure they’re all trying to get the best deals possible. One word about the Beatles is that they might open their own e-store, where their songs will be exclusively available. This plan, instead of licensing their songs to iTunes, Rhapsody, or even Microsoft’s upcoming digital download service. I’d think they’d be better off going non-exclusive with a variety of services, but they’re the Beatles, after all: they can do whatever they want.