According to MacRumors.com, "Sir Paul McCartney is to release the Beatles back catalog online -- helping pay for his multi-million-pound divorce from Heather Mills. The singles and albums will be made available on iTunes in the coming months following the final divorce hearing, due to take place at the High Court in 10 days."

But MSNBC says that Apple Inc has dismissed claims that the Beatles catalog is about to be made available online through iTunes as "unsubstantiated speculation." A spokeswoman for Sony/ATV Music Publishing (the co-venture of Sony and singer Michael Jackson) told CNET that the reports are also "untrue."  

A trademark dispute between Apple Inc and Apple Corps (the computer company vs. the musical group) delayed the Beatles' digital distribution of their collection. A resolution was reached in February 2007, making many fans hopeful for the possibility of making online purchases soon.

Currently iTunes offers a variety of Beatles' remakes and karaoke options.

Yoko Ono made John Lennon's catalogue available digitally in 2005. Paul McCartney's solo line is also available online, as is Ringo Starr's and George Harrison's.

Many musicians disagree with iTunes' decision to sell individual songs rather than the artist's full album. Other major musicians who do not currently offer their music on iTunes include Garth Brooks and much of Radiohead's collection.

Recently the Beatles collection was made available to American Idol contestants. They also received two Grammy Awards for the soundtrack to the Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil in the categories of Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or other Visual Medium and Best Surround Sound Album.