UMG-EMI Divestments-BMG Rights Interested in Parlophone

BEATLES NOT FOR SALE: More than 20 bidders have already lined up for potential Universal Music Group divestments in their quest to get regulatory approval from the European Commission for their acquisition of EMI. That includes more than a dozen indie labels, along with Sony Music and assorted venture capitalists. BMG Rights Management has reportedly expressed serious interest in U.K. label Parlophone, the original home of The Beatles, with both Coldplay and Sigur Ros on the current roster. The deal would exclude the Fab Four, but include the European rights to the other two. That would result in UMG pulling both remaining Euro labels, EMI Music and Virgin, off the table for the time being. Also note the absence among potential buyers of Warner Music Group, which has aggressively opposed the merger from the beginning. (7/26p)