Australia approves UMG-EMI

DON’T DREAM IT’S OVER: This may not be the news we’ve been waiting for all month but, for the record, Australia has approved the UMG-EMI merger. Said Universal in a statement: “We are pleased that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has cleared Universal Music’s proposed acquisition of EMI with no objections. This follows similar clearances in Japan, Canada and New Zealand. Our investment in EMI will create more opportunities for new and established artists, expand music output and consumer choice and support new digital services. We welcome the Commission’s decision and are working closely with regulators in Europe and in the U.S. to obtain further clearances.” (9/19a)