The decision means that Sony/ATV's group will avoid entering into a lengthy Phase II investigation in Brussels, contrasting Universal's proposed £1.2bn bid for EMI Music, which faces inquiries until September.

Sony/ATV will only need to sell of a small number of assets to satisfy the commission. It has made a commitment to shed the global rights to EMI's Virgin and Famous UK music publishing catalogues, as well as a few contemporary songwriters.

Impala's executive chair Helen Smith said: "It sounds ...