Apple Corps Ltd and Universal Music Group announced a global partnership on Wednesday to manage physical and digital merchandise, licensing, and e-commerce operations for The Beatles.
Under the agreement, UMG will oversee worldwide production, distribution, and sales of Beatles-branded products, building on its existing role as the steward of the band’s music catalogue. The partnership is framed as a new era of collaboration between Apple Corps and UMG, though financial terms were not disclosed.
The deal expands UMG’s operational control over The Beatles’ brand, which has seen growing demand for licensed merchandise in recent years. The company already manages the band’s recorded music catalog, publishing rights, and digital platforms, including streaming services and archival content.
Apple Corps, the company founded by The Beatles in 1968, retains ownership of the band’s trademarks and intellectual property. The partnership with UMG will allow Apple Corps to leverage the music group’s global infrastructure to monetize the brand through merchandise while maintaining oversight of its core assets.
