European Commission decision on SonyBMG expected to be postponed
Insiders expect the European Commission to say it needs more time on whether Sony Music and BMG should have merged, with a decision not reached until July or August.…
European Commission
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EMI confirms new Warner approach over takeover
EMI has confirmed Warner Music made an initial merger approach on 24 January, after EMI's profit warnings, with the deal's EU regulatory prospects improved by IMPALA's support.…
Canadian industry pushed for iPod tax again
The Canada Private Copyright Collective is again pushing for a levy on digital music players, proposing tiered charges based on device capacity.…
IMPALA welcome European Commission deadline for SonyBMG ruling
IMPALA has welcomed the European Commission's reassessment of the Sony and Bertelsmann recorded music merger, with a provisional deadline of 1 March.…
EC begins SonyBMG merger re-review
The European Commission has started re-reviewing its 2004 approval of the SonyBMG merger after IMPALA's successful appeal, with findings expected on 1 March.…
European digital content revenues to boom
A European Commission report predicts online creative content revenues in Europe will rise fourfold to 8.3 billion euros within four years, while warning outdated copyright and interoperability issues could hinder growth.…
Further delay on EC decision on BMG Universal merger
The European Commission will need two more months to investigate the proposed merger of Bertelsmann's BMG Music Publishing with Universal's publishing arm, pushing its decision to 1 June.…
Copyright developments of 2006: levies, term extension and the Gowers Review
A review of 2006 copyright news: EU private copying levies, the Gowers Review rejecting a recording term extension, and the PPL, PAMRA and AURA merger.…
Lots of merger talk in 2006, but no major label mergers
A review of 2006 major label merger talk, noting EMI and Warner's failed takeover approaches and a European court ruling against the Commission's SonyBMG approval.…
Creative groups welcome EC announcement on iPod tax
Creative groups have welcomed the European Commission's decision to delay a ruling on private copying levies, which will remain in place for now.…
European Commission delays decision on MP3 player and CD-R copyright levies
The European Commission has delayed its decision on copyright levies on MP3 players and CD-Rs, saying it needs more time, angering reform campaigners.…
IMPALA welcome EC's expanded investigation into publishing merger
The European Commission has opened an in-depth inquiry into Universal's proposed purchase of BMG Music Publishing, a decision expected on 27 April, which IMPALA welcomes.…