EU Regulators Halt Sony BMG Probe. Demand More Info.

European Union regulators hit the pause button today on their antitrust investigation into the 2004 Sony and BMG merger of their music units saying that the companies had failed to provide required data.  The commission notified them of their "failure to provide requested information" and said in a statement, "This means that the clock
has stopped on this case until such time as the information is received."

The Commission apparently requested additional info to gauge the merger’s impact on the European music market including rivals Universal, Warner Music Group and EMI as well as the indie sector.  This delay can’t be good news for WMG as it considers a new offer for EMI; a move that would certainly lead to a similar EU review.