Indie labels protesteren tegen EU-goedkeuring SonyBMG deal
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18.09.2008
Impala, de associatie van Independent Music Labels, heeft bij de Europese Commissie geprotesteerd tegen de EU-goedkeuring voor Sony om Sony BMG volledig uit te kopen bij het Duitse Bertelsmann. Volgens Impala brengt die deal de culturele diversiteit in het gedrang: "They have just let the world's largest consumer electronics company merge with the second largest music company without any detailed investigation."Uit EUobserver.com:
Following the purchase, Sony will become the sole owner of Sony BMG, which will be renamed Sony Music Entertainment Inc. The Japanese firm would now become the second largest music company in the world.Meer info: Impalasite.org
The commission said that the transaction would not lead to any "horizontal overlaps in the music recording markets," as Sony has no other music recording activities in Europe.
The commission also believes that the vertical integration between the activities of Sony in consumer electronics such as mobiles and MP3 players, as well as its substantial video gaming operations and film studio, would not create any problems, and that the firm would not restrict access to its music catalogue to competitors in these arenas.
The European independent music label trade association, IMPALA, however strongly disagreed, saying the merger threatens cultural diversity and that the commission did not carry out an in-depth investigation as to the consequences of the deal.
"We keep saying that music is not like widgets," said Michel Lambot, co-president of IMPALA. "The commission needs to completely reassess its view of the music market.
"They have just let the world's largest consumer electronics company merge with the second largest music company without any detailed investigation."
Trefwoorden: muziekindustrie