EMI sues music site over illegal Beatles tracks

Record company EMI - which owns the copyright to The Beatles' recordings - is taking legal action against an American website that is offering unauthorised copies of tracks by the band.

Bluebeat.com is offering downloads of the Fab Four's music from 25 cents (15p) each including the remastered Beatles albums, which EMI released in September.

EMI has filed the copyright infringement in the US.

Before The Beatles' music can be made readily available online, EMI must agree a deal with Apple Corps, the company set up by the band to look after their catalogue.

As the deal is still in discussion, the appearance of these tracks on Bluebeat.com earlier this week surprised consumers.

Apple Corps announced on Wednesday that Beatles music will soon be available on limited-edition, digital format USB drives.