SonyBMG merger back in court
SonyBMG has appealed to the European Court of Justice against a ruling on its 2004 merger, with IMPALA arguing the appeal should be rejected.…
European Commission
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SonyBMG merger questioned in European Parliament
French MEP Guy Bono has questioned the European Commission's second approval of the SonyBMG merger, with IMPALA welcoming the scrutiny and lodging its own complaint.…
SonyBMG eager to tap into publishing revenues
SonyBMG is reportedly in talks with its parent companies about entering music publishing, with chief Rolf Schmidt-Holtz saying he is confident a solution will be found.…
IMPALA hit out at SonyBMG ruling
IMPALA has criticised the European Commission's second approval of the SonyBMG merger, calling for a formal inquiry and asking the European Ombudsman to investigate maladministration.…
SonyBMG merger approved again
The European Commission has again cleared the merger of Sony Corp and Bertelsmann's recorded music businesses to form SonyBMG, with no conditions attached.…
EC prepares SonyBMG ruling
The European Commission is expected soon to rule on the 2004 Sony and BMG recorded music merger, likely approving it with conditions after an IMPALA appeal.…
Apple and majors due to attend EC hearing
Apple and the major labels are due to attend European Commission hearings on 19-20 September into whether iTunes geographical restrictions within Europe are anti-competitive.…
Bertelsmann profits hit by Napster pay-offs
Bertelsmann's first-half earnings fell to 417 million euros from 693 million, which it blames on Napster settlements, while expecting an European Commission verdict on the SonyBMG merger in October.…
CISAC hit back at criticism of licensing reform proposals
CISAC has rejected criticism from media and telecoms firms of its proposed European licensing reforms, accusing them of trying to push down royalty rates.…
Universal extend Sanctuary offer
Universal Music has extended its takeover offer for the Sanctuary Group to 26 July, with only 30.88% of shares formally offered so far.…
European Commission approves Terra Firma's EMI acquisition
The European Commission has approved Terra Firma's proposed acquisition of EMI, removing regulatory obstacles, though EMI's major shareholders remain less enthusiastic.…
Songwriters back CISAC licensing proposals, media coalition opposes
The European Composer and Songwriter Alliance backs CISAC's licensing proposals, while a coalition of media and internet companies argues they would make matters worse.…