US regulators have followed their EC counterparts and given clearance to Universal's £1.2bn takeover of EMI Music.
The Federal Trade Commission has taken no further action in terms of divestments, meaning Universal only need sell off assets as agreed with the EC.
These represent 10% of combined company revenues and approximately 30% of EMI's global revenues. They include Parlophone worldwide - but UMG will retain rights to The Beatles catalogue.
The FTC vote to close the investigation was unanimous - 5-0.
A Universal spokesperson said: “We are pleased that the Federal Trade Commission has cleared Universal Music’s acquisition of EMI with no conditions. In addition to the U.S., the acquisition has already been approved by regulators in Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand.
"Our investment in EMI will create more opportunities for new and established artists, expand music output and consumer choice, and support new digital services.
"With a broad array of EMI artists like Katy Perry, The Beatles, Robbie Williams, Lady Antebellum and Norah Jones, we are well positioned to grow the company and offer music fans around the world more music and more choice than ever before.”
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