EMI dismisses Beatles rumours

The Beatles' record label has moved to dampen rumours that the band's music is about to become available online.

The Fab Four are the last major act to withhold their back catalogue from stores like iTunes and Napster. UK download site Wippit indicated it would be first to sell the songs in a headline on its press release pages. Record company EMI said the statement was untrue and has asked for it to be removed.

Wippit posted the Beatles announcement on its website last Friday. Winning the online distribution rights to the Beatles' music would be a major coup for the company.

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo says a top 10 made up entirely of Beatles' tracks "would be almost guaranteed" as soon as the songs go on sale.