Beatles download rumour quashed

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. Representatives for Wippit were unavailable for comment.

EMI is believed to be on the verge of releasing The Beatles' back catalogue as digital downloads.