Proposed EMI Takeover Criticised By Independent Labels


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The imminent sell off of British label giant EMI has been criticised by two leading figures of the independent music world.

Earlier this week, a proposed $1.9 billion deal with Universal for EMI’s recorded music division was agreed, while Sony are expected to complete terms for the company’s publishing arm.

And now Martin Mills, founder of the Beggars Group which counts leading indie labels including 4AD and Rough Trade amongst its roster, and Charles Cadas of global rights agency Merlin, who once took care of Domino, have slammed the move as a worrying development for the music world.

“This looks like breath-taking corporate arrogance,” Mills told Music Week, while adding that due to competition laws, “it’s hard to imagine this acquisition being approved, given Universal’s existing dominance in an over-concentrated market. Even greater dominance would be bad news for almost everyone involved in the art and business of music.”

Meanwhile, Cadas echoed Mills’ sentiments, saying: “Putting even more power in the hands of the company already most likely to try and shape services into what is most advantageous to itself doesn’t seem the likely path to that outcome.”

Despite the high-profile departure of Robbie Williams, EMI is still home to other big-selling acts such as Coldplay, and also holds the rights to The Beatles‘ back catalogue.


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