Beatles songs pulled from website

THE BEATLES' back catalogue has been removed from a website selling the tracks at a discounted price.

A judge in Los Angeles granted EMI, the legendary band's record label, an injunction against US site Bluebeat.com during a court hearing this week.

The order was issued after EMI began legal action claiming the company did not have permission to sell the collection.

Bluebeat's owner, Hank Risan, argued that his website did not need a licence because it was selling re-recorded versions of the band's songs, which had been created using "psycho-acoustic simulation" software.

But he was told by the judge that he did not have evidence to support his claim.

A further court hearing is scheduled for November 20.

The Beatles are one of the few remaining acts who have yet to authorise their music for sale online.

This will depend on the outcome of negotiations between their music management company Apple Corps and EMI.

Last November, Sir Paul McCartney told journalists that discussions had "stalled".

Earlier this week, it was announced that the band's digitally re-mastered back catalogue is to be released on a limited edition apple-shaped USB, following the successful re-issue on CD in September.