BEATLES - BEATLES AND EMI WORK IT OUT

The Beatles' record company Apple Corps has reached a settlement with EMI over unpaid royalties, meaning the band's songs could finally be made available to download on the internet.

A further step to getting the Beatles' vast back catalogue online came last month when Apple Corps ended its trademark battle with iPod-maker Apple Inc.

In 2005, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the families of the late John Lennon and George Harrison sued EMI claiming for £30 million in unpaid royalties between 1994 and 1999.

Referring to today's resolution, a brief joint statement from Apple Corps and the record label said: "It was settled on mutually acceptable terms last month."

Neither firm was willing to disclose the financial details of the settlement.

EMI revealed last week that it had begun discussions with Apple Corps over making Beatles songs available online, with Apple Inc's iTunes a potential outlet.