Apple obtains rights to sell MGM movies

Apple Inc. has started selling movies from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.’s film library on its iTunes website, advancing an effort to obtain material that can be downloaded and played on Apple’s iPod and a new set-top box.

MGM is selling rights to about 100 movies to Apple, said Derek Mains, a spokesman for Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple.

Films from MGM boost the iTunes catalog to more than 500 films. MGM won’t be offering new releases, Mains said. The titles will sell for $9.99 each.