Downtown deal part of Universal strategy to “undermine vitality and viability” of indie sector, cautions competition law expert

Downtown deal part of Universal strategy to “undermine vitality and viability” of indie sector, cautions competition law expert

Amelia Fletcher, the competition law expert who previously criticised the demonetisation of grassroots artists by Spotify, has written to the European Commission urging it to conduct an in-depth investigation into Universal Music’s deal to buy Downtown Music Holdings, and with it music companies like FUGA, CD Baby, Songtrust and Curve. That deal creates significant competition law concerns, she says. Because it will “further strengthen UMG’s alr…