Merger Notification - Announcement according to § 10 Cartel Act
Universal Music Group N.V.; Downtown Music Holdings LLC
BWB/Z-6860
On 24.02.2025 the Austrian Federal Competition Authority was notified of the following merger:
Planned purchase process
Universal Music Group N.V., Netherlands, (through its direct and indirect subsidiaries) intends to acquire 100% of the equity security of and sole control over Downtown Music Holdings LLC, USA, from Downtown Music Holdings (IOM) Limited, Isle of Man.
Economic sector: J 59.20 – Recording studios; production of radio programmes; publishing of recorded media and music publications
J - PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING, AND CONTENT PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION ACTIVITIES J 59 - Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities, J 59.2 - Sound recording and music publishing activities
Deadline for bringing in an application pursuant to § 11(1) Cartel Act will end on 24.03.2025.
Entrepreneurs whose legal or economic interests are affected by the merger can bring in a written statement at the Federal Competition Authority or the Federal Cartel Prosecutor within 14 days from publication date.
Note: The intervening party has no right to a certain treatment of the statement and will not gain a party position.
The Netherlands have submitted a referral request pursuant to Art 22 (1) EUMR to the European Commission. On 3 April 2025, the Federal Competition Authority has joined the request pursuant to Article 22 (2) EUMR. On 24 April 2025 the European Commission accepted the request. Therefore, the concentration will now be examined by the European Commission under the case number M.11956; the national legislation on competition is no longer applicable pursuant to Art 22 (3) EUMR.