EU Regulators Expected to Decide on Apple's Acquisition of Beats By July 30

Apple's proposed acquisition of Beats Electronics is facing its first regulatory hurdle after the Cupertino company announced the deal last month. As reported by Reuters, European Union's Antitrust Commission is expected to make a decision on the purchase by July 30.

applebeats
The EU regulators can approve the deal unconditionally, demand concessions if they have anti-competitive concerns or order a full investigation if they need more convincing that the acquisition will be a benefit and not a detriment to competition.

The pending $3 billion deal includes both Beats Electronics, which offers headphones and speakers, and Beats Music, a streaming music subscription service. Under the deal, Beats executives Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre will join Apple, giving the company a significant boost to its music industry connections.

Besides the EU, regulators in the United States also must examine the deal and determine whether there are any concerns with competition. Barring any unforeseen regulatory issues, Apple expects the transaction to close sometime next quarter.

Top Rated Comments

subsonix Avatar
117 months ago
Why are the Europeans sticking their big noses into an American merger? This is bureaucracy gone far too far!
Because it's a global company that also operates in the EU? My guess though is that nothing will come of this because there are several other digital music providers.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Reason077 Avatar
117 months ago
Why are the Europeans sticking their big noses into an American merger? This is bureaucracy gone far too far!
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wrrzzelbbrrmmff Avatar
117 months ago
Why are the Europeans sticking their big noses into an American merger? This is bureaucracy gone far too far!

Why is the NSA sticking its big nose into European email, cloud data, etc.?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zipa Avatar
117 months ago
Why are the Europeans sticking their big noses into an American merger? This is bureaucracy gone far too far!

Because one or both companies have operations within the EU and offer their services here as well. This is pretty much given with every major business merger/acquisition.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rossome Avatar
117 months ago
Steve's Apple is officially no more, looking at this picture with Tim next to Apple’s newest executive, who's been recorded multiple times advocating the murder of white people, domestic abuse, rape and objectification of women, illegal drug use, violence towards the gay community, and unwarranted, illegal gun violence.

We do miss you, Steve, badly.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
inplainview Avatar
117 months ago
Just acquired the name if nothing else, if possible. The headphones are utter crap.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Google Assistant

Google I/O 2016: Assistant, Home, Allo, Duo, Android N, and More

Wednesday May 18, 2016 11:51 am PDT by
Google hosted its annual I/O developers keynote at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California today, announcing multiple new products and services related to Android, search, messaging, home automation, and more. Google Assistant Google Assistant is described as a "conversational assistant" that builds upon Google Now based on two-way dialog. The tool can be used, for example,...