[Fmpro] Google, YouTube Receive Regulatory Approvals

[Dana from Serious Vanity Music]

Thought this would be of interest.  From digitalmusicnews.com:

Google, YouTube Receive Regulatory Approvals

Google has now received a regulatory green light for its acquisition of
YouTube, a $1.65 billion all-stock purchase. The Federal Trade Commission
and US Department of Justice have both opted not to examine the buyout
further, paving the way for a sealed deal. On November 2nd, the FTC offered
an "early termination," which signals a pass on further review. The
regulatory formality comes at a noisy juncture for both parties, which are
now being circled by a number of major media companies. Just recently, media
giant Viacom demanded the removal of its content from YouTube, part of a
larger negotiation process.

Others are also swirling, including Time Warner, NBC Universal, and News
Corp. Those heavyweights are all considering their next moves, which could
include legal action against a very deep-pocketed Google. Discussions are
now underway, and a recent Financial Times article pointed to tens of
millions of dollars in upfront payments for the right to broadcast content.
Prior to the purchase, internet billionaire Mark Cuban called any would-be
buyer a "moron," while pointing to a litigious group of media owners.
Meanwhile, major record labels Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group,
and Sony BMG have all entered into broad licensing contracts with YouTube,
though EMI has remained on the sidelines.


Dana Detrick-Clark
Serious Vanity Music
http://www.seriousvanity.com