Brussels, 21/08/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has closed its inquiry into CD prices, opened at the end of the month of January (see EUROPE of 27 January, 2001) concerning five major record companies (EMI, Bertelsmann, Warner Music, Sony and Universal) in their relations with retailers. The Commission notes that certain practices imposing a minimum price have been abolished and that, generally speaking, these still affect a national market. It therefore decided to close its inquiry and to inform the Member States concerned, mainly Italy, of practices likely to affect competition. In this context, the British competition authority is currently examining complaints concerning measures taken by the record industry to prevent imports of CDs into the United Kingdom from the continent at lower prices. The Commission pointed out that it will continue to keep an eye on the recording industry and that the inquiry may be reopened if further information comes to light. The inquiry into DVDs continues.