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Universal Music wins conditional EU nod for Downtown acquisition
The European Commission required Universal Music Group to divest Downtown's Curve royalty platform to protect competition and sensitive data, approving the $775 million deal.
- Universal Music Group secured EU antitrust clearance on Feb. 13, 2026 for its $775 million Downtown acquisition after agreeing to divest the Curve royalty platform.
- A Phase II probe lasting fourteen months centered on UMG's December remedies, notably the Curve offer, to address EC concerns about access to rival labels’ sensitive data.
- The EC's remedy requires selling all of Curve—including customers, data, contracts, staff, source code, and hardware—while it operates as a stand‑alone business under oversight until divestment, with UMG receiving only a limited, data‑free transitional license.
- The EC's clearance leaves only closing steps, and the transaction is expected to close in the coming weeks as Virgin Music Group and Downtown will create a global, end-to-end solution for independent artists, entrepreneurs and rights holders.
- Independent labels framed the outcome as precedent-setting despite some disappointment, as more than 200 independent sector executives warned last year about consolidation risks and IMPALA called it a landmark intervention.
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18 Articles
18 Articles
The music label Universal Music is allowed to take over the music company Downtown – subject to conditions. According to the companies, the transaction is about to close.
·Düsseldorf, Germany
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The entertainment giant agreed to concessions that eliminate antitrust concerns and said the deal should be completed in the coming weeks.
·Brazil
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The Universal Group could buy the American company Downtown. The European Union has authorized on Friday, subject to conditions, the acquisition by the...
·Brussels, Belgium
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Center
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
62% Center
13%
C 62%
R 25%
Factuality
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