Reuters on UMG-EMI

UMG-EMI HEATS UP: Reuters weighed in here with a comprehensive piece on the prospects of the UMG-EMI deal, currently in Phase II of the review by the European Commission, which the piece reveals will announce its decision Sept. 6. The piece essentially pits those opposed to the deal, including WMG’s Edgar Bronfman Jr. and European indie coalition IMPALA, and those in favor, who insist the combined entity’s 40% marketshare isn’t indicative of the current situation, in which sales are down 50% since 2000 and those working in the industry have gone from 25,000 in 1999 to 10,000 today. "Ten years ago, the labels had power. Today they don't have any power. If the [FTC] blocks it, it's just because they don't understand the market," said Daniel Sokol, who teaches antitrust issues at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. (5/16p)