Beatles digital release 'stalled' McCartney says

Talks between Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI over releasing the Beatles back catalogue in digitalform are at an impasse, according to Paul McCartney.

McCartneyspokein London Monday at therelease ofElectric Arguments, his new album produced under the name The Fireman.

Apple Corps, the Beatles label, settled its dispute with Apple Inc., the computer and iTunes maker, last year, and that was thought to clear the way for digital release of Beatles tunes.

The Beatles are one of the few widely popular artists whose back catalogue is not available for legal downloading, though later solo efforts by band members are available.

But Apple has still not cleared anyone, including iTunes, to provide digital versions ofFab Four songs.

McCartney said he, Ringo Starr and the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison have backed digital release, but "when it's something as big as the Beatles, it's heavy negotiations."

"It's stalled there are a couple of sticking points between EMI and the Beatles. No change there then!" he added.

Electric Arguments is McCartney's third album with Martin (Youth) Glover, 47-year-old former bassist for Killing Joke. They previously released Strawberries Ocean Ships Forest and Rushes.