The European Commission has sent a formal Statement of Objections to Universal Music Group (UMG) regarding its planned purchase of Downtown, citing potential competition concerns. The commission opened an in‑depth investigation on 22 July 2025 after the transaction was notified on 16 June 2025. It worries that UMG could gain access to commercially sensitive data stored by Downtown’s Curve royalty‑accounting platform, giving UMG an advantage in the wholesale distribution of recorded music and in artist‑and‑label services. The investigation also considers the removal of a competitive force in the market for distribution, marketing, and data analytics services. UMG can reply to the objections, request to view the case file, and ask for an oral hearing before the commission decides by 6 February 2026.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_2744
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