Paul McCartney: 'Beatles and EMI 'stalled' over iTunes plan'

The Beatles' back catalogue isn't set to be available for legal download on iTunes any time soon, as Sir Paul McCartney has revealed that negotiations are "stalled" between Apple Corps and EMI.

McCartney said that despite having been involved in negotiations with the Liverpool legends' label, no satisfactory outcome was likely to come about soon.

"When it's something as big as The Beatles, it's heavy negotiations," he said in a London press conference this afternoon (November 24). "We're [the band members and their estates] very for it, but there are a couple of sticking points.

"It's stalled – there are a couple of sticking points between EMI and The Beatles. What else is new? But I really hope it will happen because I think it should."

The news on the updated situation follows reports in March that The Beatles and EMI were set to agree on a deal that would see the band's music become available on iTunes.

A deal has, however, been struck that will see a Beatles version of the 'Rock Band' computer game released.

McCartney was speaking as he launched his side project with producer Youth. The pair record under the name The Fireman, so kicked things off at the Fire Station pub in Waterloo, south London.

The pair's album, 'Electric Arguments', is released today (November 24).