Pan-European independent music trade body IMPALA yesterday confirmed they would "forcefully" oppose any merger between EMI and Warner Music. The announcement came as EMI prepared to make its previously reported new takeover offer to Warner's shareholders - an offer Warner's owners are known to be willing to seriously consider providing the price is right.
The independent sector has generally opposed all past major label mergers, and IMPALA itself is still in the process of appealing, through the European Courts, the decision of the European Commission to allow the SonyBMG merger back in 2004. They claim that any moves that increase the dominance of one of the major players in the music sector make it harder for independent companies to operate, which means major label mergers are always bad for the wider music community.
IMPALA say that a combined EMI Warner would control more than a quarter of recorded music sales and nearly 50% of the music publishing market (though the consensus is that EMI would be forced to sell off Warner's publishing company if any merger went through). It would also mean that over three quarters of all music released in the world would come from one of three companies - Universal Music, SonyBMG or EMI Warner.
At the heart of IMPALA's campaign is an online petition which the organisation is encouraging artists, retailers, songwriters and music fans to sign. You'll find it at http://www.forculturaldiversity.org