Does Apple Own the Beatles? A Look at the Strange Relationship Between the Music Icons and the Tech Giant
The iconic British rock band, The Beatles, have been beloved the world over since the 1960s, introducing generations to a unique sound and style that continues to influence music and pop culture today. But what does a rock band have to do with Apple, one of the world’s leading tech companies? In the minds of many, they’re forever linked. It’s a strange bond that has been formed over the decades and is still impacting both sides.
Let’s start at the beginning. In the late 1960s, coinciding with the peak of the music group’s popularity, Apple Corps was founded by the four members of the band, becoming their own business and record label. A few years later, in 1976, Apple Inc was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. This marked the beginning of the company becoming one of the world’s leading tech giants.
Since then, both companies have interacted in various ways. In the 1980s, Apple Corps attempted to sue Apple Inc over trademark laws, claiming the tech company was infringing on their rights. This lead to agreements that granted varying rights to use the name “Apple”, though interpretations varied from each side.
The tech company continued expanding, releasing revolutionary products over the decades, while the band’s individual members continued to pursue their respective solo careers. In 2007 Apple Inc gained full control of the North American publishing rights to the Beatles’s music. That same year the compilation album titled “The Beatles: Love” was released with the approval of the band.
It wasn’t until 2015 that a major landmark was reached in the relationship between the two. After over a decade of negotiation, Apple Corps had reached an agreement with Apple Inc to “explore mutual business opportunities”. This agreement later led to the 2016 release of the iconic band’s original material, 40 years after the end of their career as a group, through Apple Music.
The bond between the iconic British rock band and the tech giant have gone through difficult chapters over the years but ultimately ended in a mutually beneficial deal. Since then, the remaining Beatles have seen their music reach a whole new generation of fans, experiencing appreciation in a digital era.
Financial Implications
The 2015 agreement was the culmination of the various decisions and understandings that had been made between the two companies over the decades. The amount of royalties and finances exchanged hasn’t been officially revealed, but it’s safe to say it was a financial win for both sides. The Beatles now get even more money from their craft, and Apple Inc benefits from the almost iconic association.
The Beatles have continuously received ever-growing revenues from their music, with 2019 counting as the group’s most successful financial year so far. Revenues from memorabilia, intellectual property and live shows alone exceeded $23 million. A financial analysis from Billboard estimated that, since then, revenues generated from the tech giant’s business deal, such as streaming services, generated another $21 million.
Both parties have their respective wins and losses in terms of money but there’s no discrediting how beneficial this agreement was for both. And the numbers don’t stop at the financial aspect, as the deal also left Apple Inc with another valuable asset — immense publicity.
Public Relations Boost
By including the legendary British group into its services, Apple Inc further establishes its own position as a music streaming leader. Many expressed admiration on how far the company had come from its roots and how its interaction with the music industry had evolved.
Since its agreement with The Beatles, the company has been able to further its reach in the music streaming industry. In terms of publicity, it has made the tech giants that much more desirable, which has resulted in tangible relationships between the two. For instance, Apple Music launched a “Live at the Apple Corps” live virtual event series, which saw a variety of artists performing in front of the iconic London recording centre.
Continuing this relationship, Apple has since re-released remastered versions of many of The Beatles’ classic albums, as well as a variety of documentaries, music videos and interviews. The company continues to demonstrate its commitment towards the band and music industry in new and unique ways.
Cultural Impact
There’s no denying the cultural impact The Beatles have had on history. Their music has spoken to generations since they were a band and continues to be heard, loved and shared. But due to their age there were plenty who never got to experience it; or who simply weren’t aware of the band’s vast music catalogue.
That’s why this deal between the two companies has been praised by many. Thanks to it, the music of the iconic British band continues to live on, being shared and enjoyed by the newest generations. There are plenty of songs that everyone had heard before without knowing that they were by The Beatles.
The band’s inclusion in Apple Music introduced them to millions more and it’s given them a new life not only in terms of music, but also in terms of merchandise. Though the band and their members no longer produce new material, one can go to the Apple website and find an entire section dedicated to them, from T-shirts and mugs to merchandise featuring both the iconic and obscure.
Revolutionary Development
The band rose amidst a revolution in music that saw them introducing the world to new sounds and effects. The legacy of this revolution has continued to permeate throughout the music industry, helping the band make their mark in the digital era.
Ever since the agreement between the two companies, The Beatles catalogue has seen a significant rise in popularity. On the back of the deal, the band’s music has been released in remastered versions, with many of the classic hits having been reworked and even completely redone.
Re-released songs, such as ‘Come Together’ and ‘Let It Be’, are particularly popular. They’ve been included in the soundtrack of the popular Rock Band video game and have been made available for streaming across various platforms. The agreement between the two companies has enabled the music of the iconic band to be present while also being unexplored in the digital era.
The Digital Deal
For years Apple Inc had been competing against market leaders like Spotify, but this agreement with the Beatles has helped to set it apart as a major force in digital music. Although the details of the agreement have never been revealed, it’s quite clear that it has been a major success for Apple Inc.
In the span of just a few years, the wild bond between Apple Inc and the Beatles has helped the band’s music open to a new audience, further enabled Apple’s position in the streaming market and has created a unique legacy in the process.
Ownership Questions
And who exactly owns the various catalogues and material? That may still be unclear; the contractual language between the two companies regarding such matters has been subject to interpretation. But what has become certain is that the agreement has improved the public’s perceptions of the tech giant, making them look at them in a much more favourable light.
It’s no wonder the music industry has looked favourably upon the inclusion of the Beatles in Apple Music and the implications of more deals for other artists being negotiated. For instance, Apple scored a victory in 2019 when it landed an exclusive deal with rapper Drake, furthering their reach in the music industry. Much of the publicity achieved with The Beatles is said to have helped in achieving such goals.
At the end of the day, ownership of the physical and digital Beatles’ music may still be unclear; but one cannot question the transformative effects the relationship between the two companies have achieved. The two have had their ups and downs over the years, but ultimately it resulted in a mutually beneficial outcome.
