From the Washington Post, by Jeffrey Goldfarb:
"Independent European record companies representing such groups as Franz Ferdinand and The White Stripes said they will appeal the decision by antitrust regulators allowing music majors Sony Music and BMG to merge.
Impala, the trade group for the labels, wants to undo the merger approved earlier this year that consolidated the music industry into four major companies from five, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
Combined, Sony BMG, Vivendi's Universal Music, EMI Group and Warner Music, account for about three out of every four records sold around the world.
Independent record companies opposed the deal from its inception, saying that increasing consolidation has marginalized them and steadily cost them market share.
"This is about protecting European, as well as worldwide, cultural diversity and self-determination in a world where globalization means Hollywood," Impala President Michel Lambot said.
"The news coming in today from the U.S. elections affirms our decision that we need to make a stance against U.S. domination of our cultural, political and economic interests," he added. "
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