beatlesbootleg1963 A digital compilation of 59 rare and unheard recordings from The Beatles is set to be released exclusively on the iTunes Store this coming Tuesday, December 17, reports NME (via BBC).

Titled The Beatles' Bootleg Recordings 1963, the collection of music is reportedly being released in order stop the expiration of the copyright protection surrounding the records, as the tracks themselves consist of BBC sessions, alternative versions of popular hits, and studio outtakes.

EU law protects songs for 70 years after they are recorded, but only if they get an official release. Otherwise, copyright lasts 50 years.

In the case of The Beatles, that means their 1963 debut album Please Please Me is protected until 2033, but the unreleased session tapes for that album are not.

If the Beatles chose not to release the recordings before the end of the year, it would mean other record labels could theoretically put them out and profit from them.

The Beatles' music originally debuted on iTunes in November 2010 after years of speculation and prolonged negotiation between record label EMI and Apple. The group's music went on to sell 2 million songs and 450,000 albums in its first week on the iTunes Store, and eventually reached overall sales of 5 million songs and 1 million albums within in two months. Exclusive ringtones by The Beatles also were made available on iTunes in February 2012.

Top Rated Comments

furi0usbee Avatar
153 months ago
The Beatles are old news. They've made their squillions and their families are set for many generations to come (even after spending 90% of their riches on heroin/LSD).

They are no longer performing (and most of the originals are dead). The record label doesn't need to lock down the rights to all music that they never intended to sell.
.

Wow, a bunch of dumb statements. Real old news... yet we are still talking about them. Yeah, McCartney spent 90% of his wealth, and still managed to be a billionaire. Unlike many artists... the Beatles are not known for their drug use. They dropped LSD in mid-sixties, smoked pot, Lennon had a heroin addiction for a time, etc. We are not talking about Keith Richards here. Most of the originals are dead? Yeah, try two... half. Not most. I guess most of the originals died of drug overdose as well? Well, it's true, they are no longer performing, since 1969 on a rooftop. Your post is stupid on so many levels.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kerryb Avatar
153 months ago
ignorant

To the ignorant and for some unknown reason Beatle hater posting here... What difference does it make to you if the Beatles are releasing rare tracks which only will be purchased by die hard Beatles fans? To say such negative things about a pop group that left us with some great music and songs which will stay in our culture for generations is just mean. George died from a brain tumor do you fault him for dying this way? John was murdered by a mentally illl man. Despite John's many years of supporting the Peace Movement he was killed violently. There was a time when young people cared about our country being involved in wars that had no good reason, today young people might be more interested in buying the latest Apple product than the US military being forced to fight wars for corporate America. Paul is alive and still touring and releasing new albums. He works for animal rights and conservation. Do you think Beiber or Swift would ever pick up a cause beyond themselves when they can make commercials selling Coke. I'm not sure why I bother to "learn" you but someone has to say something to balance the lameness posted here.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
John.B Avatar
153 months ago
'If the Beatles chose not to release the recordings before the end of the year, it would mean other record labels could theoretically put them out and profit from them.'

Or the BBC could just chuck them online as a free download without retribution.

TBH I find this greedy. In 50 years they haven't found any of these tracks worthy of being released. Come the 11th hour and they are releasing a massive compilation album in order to extend their stranglehold over the tracks for another 20 years.

The Beatles are old news. They've made their squillions and their families are set for many generations to come (even after spending 90% of their riches on heroin/LSD).

They are no longer performing (and most of the originals are dead). The record label doesn't need to lock down the rights to all music that they never intended to sell.

Good on them for potentially re-mastering it and putting it out there but one must question why they didn't do this years ago, or for free.

I just love it when people want to "give away" stuff that belongs to someone else.

The best part is watching the contortions they twist themselves into to try to justify their "logic".
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kerryb Avatar
153 months ago
Revolution

After five decades, I wonder who The Beatles' market is today. I'm in my thirties and their music never grabbed me like the Jimmy Hendrix Experience, The Doors and The Who did. Personally I can appreciate some of their later, ballsier songs but for the most part they sound too poppy and inoffensive to not sound dated.

When I heard the Beatles for the first time in 1964 I could not believe my ears. Pop music before this time was (MOR) middle of the road stuff like, Pat Boone, Connie Francis, etc.. Safe stuff your parents and grand parents enjoyed. Teens did not have a music that made them want to jump and dance and let loose. Most young people were hooked at that point. The Beatles brought us our own culture back to us with rhythms and lyrics that they were influenced by from such black artists such as Chuck Berry and Little Richard which were considered "race music" at the time, meaning little airplay. Elvis connected to young people the same way coming from the south and being white he played the kind of music that was not allowed on white radio stations and young people got their first taste of R&B and Blues. The Beatles were part of the perfect storm of music and cultural counter revolution. They lived in London and where everything cool was happening. Each album was a evolution as they experimented in a variety of musical form and styles. They had a short trip into eastern spiritualism and drugs like LSD as many artist did at the time. There was never anyone as famous as the Beatles were at their peak in the history of modern music. Hope this explains a little of what it was like growing up during that time and why the Beatles still fascinate so many people. By the way I was 6 the first time I heard first album.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
furi0usbee Avatar
153 months ago
After five decades, I wonder who The Beatles' market is today.

With 30 million record sales in the first decade of the 21st century, either all those old hippies keep buying the same records, or new generations are taking a liking. Question, 40, 50 years after Eminem goes away, will people be buying 30 million copies of his albums? Prolly not. There is something special going on there...

http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/12/08/best-selling-albums-of-decade-eminem-beatles/
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Iconoclysm Avatar
153 months ago
'If the Beatles chose not to release the recordings before the end of the year, it would mean other record labels could theoretically put them out and profit from them.'

Or the BBC could just chuck them online as a free download without retribution.

TBH I find this greedy. In 50 years they haven't found any of these tracks worthy of being released. Come the 11th hour and they are releasing a massive compilation album in order to extend their stranglehold over the tracks for another 20 years.

The Beatles are old news. They've made their squillions and their families are set for many generations to come (even after spending 90% of their riches on heroin/LSD).

They are no longer performing (and most of the originals are dead). The record label doesn't need to lock down the rights to all music that they never intended to sell.

Good on them for potentially re-mastering it and putting it out there but one must question why they didn't do this years ago, or for free.

Heroin and LSD? It's no wonder you have no freaking idea what you're talking about with the rest of it...this is about as stupid as stupid gets.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iPhone eSIM Feature

Apple Hints at iPhone 17 Models Lacking SIM Card Slot in More Countries

Sunday August 31, 2025 8:52 am PDT by
Another hint has surfaced that Apple is preparing to eliminate the physical SIM card tray from iPhones in more countries this year. In particular, a source familiar with the matter has informed MacRumors that retail employees at Apple Authorized Resellers in the EU are required to complete a training course related to iPhones with eSIM support by Friday, September 5. There are 27 countries...