IMPALA Opposes Mergers

IMPALA STILL AT IT: With reports of a possible second phase in the European Commission’s initial market investigation into UMG’s proposed acquisition of EMI after the first expries on March 23, indie coalition IMPALA is back at it with their belief the merger “would seriously impede competition in the music sector.” IMPALA has also indicted the merger between Sony and EMI Music Publishing “raises equally fundamental issues and should be treated together with Universal's proposal in the upcoming phase 2.” The org’s opposition isn’t expected to derail either deal at this point, though certainly not for lack of trying. The UMG-EMI pairing is also being vigorously opposed by WMG's new owner Len Blavatnik, who lost out in the bidding for the company. (3/19a)