It's “Us and Them” no longer.
Pink Floyd and EMI announced new agreement on Tuesday, effectively ending long legal dispute between the band and its label over sales of digital singles.
The legendary psychedelic rock act sued EMI last March, claiming the label did not have the rights to sell individual songs through Apple’s iTunes. Like some other bands with successful concept albums, Pink Floyd (“The Wall,” “Dark Side of the Moon”) wanted them sold as full downloads, not track-by-track.
Under the new five-year agreement, EMI Music will continue to market and distribute Pink Floyd’s catalog. “All legal disputes between the band and the company have been settled as a result,” EMI said.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Pink Floyd are one of the most important and influential bands of all time, and I know I speak for everyone at EMI when I say that it is a privilege to have the opportunity to work with them," EMI Group CEO Roger Faxon said in a statement. "We're looking forward to continuing to help the band reach new and existing fans through their incredible body of work."
With or without a new deal, Pink Floyd would’ve probably stayed on iTunes — the world's largest online retailer — since artists can opt to sell their albums whole or in parts. But it’s nonetheless a big deal for EMI, which has been the subject of takeover (or, more likely, piecemeal sale) rumors for years.
In November, EMI struck a deal with Apple to offer finally offer the Beatles on iTunes, filling a nagging void in Steve Jobs’ collection.
