Apple said to have third Beatle

Apple has reached a deal with former Beatle Ringo Starr for the distribution of his solo work through the iTunes store, according to media reports.

Starr's solo albums released on Koch Records are already available through the store, but the latest addition reportedly concerns music released on EMI. The label could not be reached for comment.

If the deal is official, Starr will become the third member of the group, or estate in the case of John Lennon, to sign a solo deal with Apple.

Sir Paul McCartney cut a deal with Apple in May, and an agreement was reached earlier this month to bring Lennon's solo catalogue to the iTunes store.

The deal would leave the late George Harrison as the only member of the fab four whose EMI solo work is not being sold through iTunes. EMI also distributes The Beatles catalogue.

With three of the four band members signed up to solo deals with Apple, speculation on a deal to bring The Beatles catalogue to iTunes may once again heat up.

After a prolonged trademark battle between The Beatles' Apple Corporation and Apple Computer, the two sides made peace earlier this year.

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs used Beatles music and artwork in his Macworld keynote in January, prompting many to speculate that a deal would be imminent.

McCartney boosted that speculation in May, when he hinted that a deal to put The Beatles on the iTunes store was in its final stages. Since then, however, there has been no news from either camp.