Independent music companies, via trade body IMPALA, have asked the EC to ensure that the sale of divestment assets from both Sony/ATV's purchase of EMI Publishing and Universal's acquisition of EMI Music do not "strengthen the duopoly that exists between Universal and Sony".

In late December, Sony/ATV picked BMG as the favoured bidder for its divestment of Virgin Publshing and Famous Songs, whilst Universal sold BMG the Mute Records catalogue. Both deals will now have to be approved ...