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

MacRumors · Jun 25, 2014

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.

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.

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

Reason077 · Jun 25, 2014

Why are the Europeans sticking their big noses into an American merger? This is bureaucracy gone far too far!

inplainview · Jun 25, 2014

Just acquired the name if nothing else, if possible. The headphones are utter crap.

Quu · Jun 25, 2014

I think the only part they may have concerns about is the subscription music service. iTunes is the leader in online music sales and they may feel this purchase is a way to leverage that monopoly to take over the streaming market unfairly.

We'll see I guess

subsonix · Jun 25, 2014

Reason077 said:
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.

FelixDerKater · Jun 25, 2014

They will want to protect Spotify's tax revenue.

zipa · Jun 25, 2014

Reason077 said:
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.

Z400Racer37 · Jun 25, 2014

Because god forbid that a private company allocate their capital in the way that they think would best benefit them and therefore their customers. At least I'm not paying for that mess too...

rossome · Jun 25, 2014

Steve's Apple is officially no more, looking at this picture with Tim next to Apples 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.

theluggage · Jun 25, 2014

Reason077 said:
Why are the Europeans sticking their big noses into an American merger? This is bureaucracy gone far too far!

Maybe because Apple and Beats both sell products and services, and operate commercial divisions (at least Apple does, probably Beats too), in Europe?

OldSchoolMacGuy · Jun 25, 2014

inplainview said:
Just acquired the name if nothing else, if possible. The headphones are utter crap.

The name alone isn't worth $3 billion. You might not like the headphones but they sell like crazy.

sstevens · Jun 25, 2014

Why are all of their wrists covered? Someone made a comment about this awhile back and I never saw a valid response

AngerDanger · Jun 25, 2014

AngerDanger said:
Would some better educated soul explain how Apple acquiring a speaker/streaming company could benefit other companies? I mean, I suppose if the public reaction to the acquisition is as negative as it is on MR, companies like Samsung and Google could see a slight boost in sales.

As others have pointed out, you misread that, me.

zipa · Jun 25, 2014

Z400Racer37 said:
Because god forbid that a private company allocate their capital in the way that they think would best benefit them and therefore their customers.

If a private company could somehow force every single human being on this planet to use their product, do you for one second think that they wouldn't?

While a company's best interest might not be the polar opposite of a consumer's best interest, the two can never be aligned. Hence we have governments and trade organizations limiting what corporations can and can not do.

Mattsasa · Jun 25, 2014

Apple bees has been real slow since wwdc

zipa · Jun 25, 2014

AngerDanger said:
Would some better educated soul explain how Apple acquiring a speaker/streaming company could benefit other companies?

It won't. And it doesn't have to. It has to benefit *competition*. And actually it doesn't even need to do that. It just cannot hinder it.

wovel · Jun 25, 2014

sstevens said:
Why are all of their wrists covered? Someone made a comment about this awhile back and I never saw a valid response

They're all wearing shirts! With sleeves!

KALLT · Jun 25, 2014

AngerDanger said:
Would some better educated soul explain how Apple acquiring a speaker/streaming company could benefit other companies? I mean, I suppose if the public reaction to the acquisition is as negative as it is on MR, companies like Samsung and Google could see a slight boost in sales.

It states benefit to competition, not competitors.

JAT · Jun 25, 2014

Z400Racer37 said:
Because god forbid that a private company allocate their capital in the way that they think would best benefit them and therefore their customers. At least I'm not paying for that mess too...

Neither of these are private companies.

macduke · Jun 25, 2014

With any luck the merger will be denied in all countries. Hah.

inplainview · Jun 25, 2014

Reason077 said:
Why are the Europeans sticking their big noses into an American merger? This is bureaucracy gone far too far!

Yes, yes. The world only exists from NY to California...

----------

OldSchoolMacGuy said:
The name alone isn't worth $3 billion. You might not like the headphones but they sell like crazy.

I agree. I was just making a comment about the sound quality of the phones. Yes they sell. Does this mean that people are stupid or have no clue about sound quality? But then again sound is subjective so whatever.

Agent OrangeZ · Jun 25, 2014

rossome said:
Steve's Apple is officially no more, looking at this picture with Tim next to Apples 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.

Jonny1989 · Jun 25, 2014

Reason077 said:
Why are the Europeans sticking their big noses into an American merger? This is bureaucracy gone far too far!

NUMBER ONE!!! WOOOOH GO EU!!

wrrzzelbbrrmmff · Jun 25, 2014

Reason077 said:
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.?

filmantopia · Jun 25, 2014

sstevens said:
Why are all of their wrists covered? Someone made a comment about this awhile back and I never saw a valid response

Are you kidding? They're obviously all wearing the iWatch. Not joking.

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

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