EU antitrust fears over Universal EMI bid

Vivendi’s Universal Music was served with a formal EU complaint over its proposed $1.9bn bid for EMI’s record labels in June 2012 after informally offering concessions that failed to satisfy the European Commission.

In September 2012 EU and US regulators approved the takeover of UK music firm EMI by Universal Music, but it must sell some of the firm's most valuable labels.

ESO: Background information: Universal faces probe into $1.9bn EMI bid http://www.europeansources.info/record/universal-faces-probe-into-1-9bn-emi-bid/

ESO: Background information: Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed acquisition of EMI recorded music business by Universal http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-mergers-commission-opens-in-depth-investigation-into-proposed-acquisition-of-emi-recorded-music-business-by-universal/

BBC News, 21.9.12: EMI-Universal deal cleared by EU and US regulators http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19672277

European Commission: RAPID: Press Release, IP/12/999: Mergers: Commission clears Universal's acquisition of EMI's recorded music business, subject to conditions http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/12/999&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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