Division (36)

The Decision concludes that the proposed concentration does not create or strengthen a single or collective dominant position in the national markets for recorded music, licences for online music, or distribution of online music as a result of which effective competition would be significantly impeded in the common market or in a substantial part of it. The Decision further concludes that the transaction does not have as its object or effect the coordination of the competitive behaviour of the joint venture’s parent companies, Sony and Bertelsmann, in the music publishing markets. Consequently, the Decision declares the concentration compatible with the Common Market and the EEA Agreement, in accordance with Articles 2(2) and (4) and Article 8(2) of the Merger Regulation and Article 57 of the EEA Agreement.