Impala challenges Sony BMG merger

Impala, a trade group representing over 2,000 independent European labels the labels, is set to challenge the European Commission's approval of the Sony/BMG merger. The deal was approved earlier this year, consolidating the music industry into four major conglomerates from five.

Impala President Michel Lambot commented that

"This is about protecting European, as well as worldwide, cultural diversity and self-determination in a world where globalization means Hollywood... 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."

The European Commission approved the deal in July, creating the 50-50 New York based joint venture between Japan's Sony Corp and Germany's Bertelsmann AG. The Commission did not disclose the specifics of its ruling until this September, which delayed Impala's decision on whether to appeal.

This is being talked about in many of the major news sources, check out the details in Reuters and BBC News.