Vivendi Exec confirms Apple Universal purchase

[gaomay]

Looks like its on:



http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=8975

 

[bbarnhart]

Apple is not going to buy Universal Music. They may have expressed interest, but it was just that.

 

[saint]

That isn't confirming any purchase. It says the exec thinks that Apple is likely to make a $6m bid.
Which means Apple has not even made a bid yet.

 

[Elan0204]

From MacMinute

Vivendi exec: Apple may offer $6 billion for Universal Music
April 16, 2003 - 10:51 EDT
A Vivendi Universal executive is quoted in a new Bloomberg report saying that Apple may bid US$6 billion for the Universal Music unit. Vivendi Director Claude Bebear said Apple "will probably make an offer for the music business, for about $6 billion." He noted that the price of $6 billion for the music unit is "a bit low." Bebear also said General Electric, owner of NBC television, Viacom and John Malone, chairman of Liberty Media Corp, are "all interested" in buying some of Vivendi's U.S. entertainment unit.
Update (04-16-03 12:15) - Reuters is now reporting that Bebear denied having given his view on talks between Vivendi and Apple. "Regarding a report by Bloomberg, Claude Bebear denies having given a view on any negotiations which may be underway," a spokesman said, reading a statement given to him by Bebear. "He believes that as a director it is not up to him to make such a declaration."

 

[bbarnhart]

-- Press Statement from Apple --

/FROM PR NEWSWIRE SAN FRANCISCO 415-543-7800/
TO BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY EDITORS:

Press Statement from Apple

CUPERTINO, Calif., April 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
"Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) has never made any offer to invest in or acquire a major
music company. The press statements this morning attributed to Vivendi board
member Claude Bebear are untrue, as Mr. Bebear has confirmed in a later
report," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "Beyond these comments, we will abide
by Apple's policy of not commenting on rumors."

NOTE: Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS and Macintosh are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names
may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Apple Computer, Inc.

/NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple's PR web
site(www.apple.com/pr/) or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042/

/CONTACT: Press, Lynn Fox of Apple Computer, Inc., +1-408-974-6209,
orlfox@apple.com/

/Web site: http://www.apple.com /

Symbols:
US;AAPL

04/16/2003 18:20:00 GMT
Source PRN - PR Newswire