As it takes the view that the planned acquisition of Shazam by Apple could harm competition within the European Economic Area (EEA), the European Commission decided on Wednesday 6 February to examine this project in light of EU merger rules.
Apple, the US IT giant, hopes to purchase Shazam, a British company which develops and distributes music recognition applications.
This planned acquisition was not notified to the Commission, as the amounts in question do not reach the turnover threshold above which a notification is compulsory. However, the Austrian competition authorities became aware of the plans, as Apple was required under Austrian law to notify them of the planned transaction.
Concerned that trade within the single market and competition on its territory could be adversely affected by the transaction, Austria appealed to the Commission. The Icelandic, Italian, French, Norwegian, Spanish and Swedish authorities then decided to follow suit.
In light of the various facts presented by the states, the Commission considered that the planned acquisition could significantly harm competition within the EEA and has decided to examine it.
Under the procedural rules, the institution will now ask the US company to notify it of its planned operation. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)