An EU spokesperson, speaking under conditions of anonymity, told the business press the EC was readying 'a so-called statement of objections listing possible problems with the deal'.

Earlier, the European Union's competition chief Joaquin Almunia has warned that Universal won't be allowed to use its proposed $1.9 billion purchase of EMI Group's recorded-music business against digital music customers and artists.

As part of the American Senate antitrust subcommittee discussion on the bid, speaking in St Galeen, Switzerland, Almunia said he's ...