While many in the independent sector of the music industry vow to fight the reported decision of the European Commission to allow the Sony BMG merger to go ahead, other industry analysts are reflecting on what an achievement the merger will be for Sony boss Andrew Lack should it indeed get the go ahead from European and American competition officials.
Lack joined Sony from a media rather than music background at the start of 2003. Many now think that it is his wheeling and dealing that has - potentially - enabled Sony to succeed where previously EMI, Warners and BMG had failed - to persuade the powers that be to allow the further consolidation of the music industry.
If the merger does go ahead, despite such strong opposition from across the music industry and even, rumours suggest, within certain parts of BMG, industry insiders say it will be "career-defining" for Lack. Whether he will be as successful in developing a productive working relationship with BMG's US boss Clive Davis is, however, another matter entirely.