BRUSSELS, Belgium (CelebrityAccess) — A coalition of leading European and international independent music companies and trade associations, led by IMPALA, has issued an open letter to Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera of the European Commission, urging a thorough investigation into Universal Music Group’s (UMG) proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings.
Signed by more than 200 CEOs, founders, and business leaders from across the independent music sector, the letter raises serious concerns that the acquisition would undermine effective competition, stifle innovation, and hinder the growth of the EU’s music industry. It warns that the deal would further entrench UMG’s already dominant position as the world’s largest music company, which currently controls over 40% of the recorded music market in Europe—nearly double the market share of its closest competitor.¹
Downtown Music Holdings operates several key platforms that are vital to the independent sector, including global music distributors FUGA and CD Baby (a leading DIY platform for artists), royalty accounting service Curve, and Songtrust, which serves independent composers. While major labels like UMG often manage these services in-house, most independent labels, publishers, and artists depend on third-party platforms to distribute music to streaming services, track royalties, manage rights, and ensure accurate payments.
The coalition notes that this proposed deal is just the latest in a pattern of UMG acquisitions targeting the independent sector, following recent purchases of PIAS, 8Ball Music, Hyperion, Outdustry, and Oriental Star Agencies, among others.
The letter warns that acquiring Downtown would give UMG control over “a significant chunk of essential infrastructure,” potentially forcing independent companies to rely on their largest competitor to connect artists with fans.
Signatories argue that such consolidation “would reduce choice for consumers, stifle experimentation, and undermine Europe’s role as a vibrant incubator of musical and artistic expression.” They call on the Commission to act, stressing that “we must keep music open” in order to sustain a dynamic music ecosystem that supports cultural diversity, innovation, and economic growth.
The full letter and signatories are available below.
Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera
European Commission
Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200
1049 Brussels
Belgium
4 July 2025
Dear Ms. Ribera,
We are the founders and CEOs of leading European and international music companies, as well as trade associations. While we normally focus on music and culture, we write to you today about competition.
On behalf of the independent music community, we express serious concerns regarding the proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings LLC (“Downtown”) by Universal Music Group N.V. (“UMG”), currently under investigation by the European Commission (Case M.11956).
The EU music industry is a cultural and economic success story, with recorded music revenues growing by 8.7% in 2023 and valued at €5.2 billion. It includes world-renowned talent alongside a thriving independent sector.
But this growth cannot be taken for granted. The EU market still lags behind other global regions, and changes to streaming revenue models often exclude the independent sector from meaningful input. A level playing field is essential to support a healthy music ecosystem that benefits the economy, culture, and innovation.
Everyone has a role to play—from global giants to disruptive startups uncovering new genres. But when acquisitions like this threaten to tip the balance too far, it is imperative to act.
UMG already controls more than 40% of the recorded music market in Europe—nearly twice the market share of its nearest competitor. The proposed acquisition would allow UMG to absorb Downtown’s distribution, royalty accounting, and rights management platforms—essential services used by thousands of independent companies and artists.
This would place a significant portion of the industry’s infrastructure under the control of its largest player. Many independent businesses rely on Downtown’s services to connect their artists to audiences. Under this deal, they would be forced to depend on their biggest competitor.
This transaction must be reviewed through the lens of digital market influence and infrastructure control—not just revenue share. This is not a simple investment in an independent company. It is about structural control.
The implications are profound. This consolidation would enable UMG to act as a gatekeeper, influencing which music gets heard, promoted, and monetised. It would threaten not only the commercial viability of independent companies but also the cultural diversity of music itself.
Such market concentration would reduce the variety of voices and styles available to the public. It would give UMG increased leverage over digital service providers, enabling it to influence payment thresholds and extract more value at the expense of independent stakeholders. Consumers would face fewer choices, while artistic experimentation and innovation would be stifled.
Moreover, UMG would gain unprecedented access to sensitive data from its competitors using these services—from distribution performance and pricing to strategic relationships and contract terms. This competitive insight would only reinforce its dominant position.
Independent music companies are essential for innovation, diversity, and cultural integrity. To fulfill this role, they need fair, non-discriminatory access to the best infrastructure—not structural dependence on their largest rival.
We therefore urge the European Commission to initiate a Phase Two investigation to fully assess the long-term structural risks of this acquisition. The proposed deal poses a clear threat to effective competition, innovation, and the future growth of the music sector in Europe and beyond.
We must keep music open.
Sincerely,
Ludovic Le Strat, President, 23.23
Manuela Nikele, General Manager, 375 Media GmbH
Ed Horrox, Managing Director, 4AD
Cecilia Crespo, General Manager, A.S.I.Ar – Asociación de Sellos Independientes de Argentina
Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE, President and CEO, A2IM – American Association of Independent Music
Felippe Llerena, Director, ABMI – Associação Brasileira da Música Independente
George Seay, Owner, Acrophase Records
Petra Deka, Head of Publishing, ACT Music+Vision GmbH+CO.KG
Magnus Bjerkert, CEO, Adrian Recordings
Gee Davy, Chief Executive, AIM – Association of Independent Music
Joe Clarke, Interim Chair, AIM Ireland – Association of Independent Music Ireland
Maria Amato, CEO, AIR – Australian Independent Record Labels Association
Toni Verona, President and General Manager, Alabianca
Sam Valenti, Co-CEO; CEO, All Flowers Group; Ghostly Intl
Sergi Roig Torrubiano, Director – Chief Officer, Altercat records
Cormac O’Halloran, Director, Always The Sound
Joana Negrão, , AMAEI – Associação de Músicos Artistas e Editoras Independentes
Ruth Koleva, President, ANMIP-BG – Association of Independent Music Publishers and Producers in Bulgaria
Andrzej Dąbrowski, Board Member, ANPM – Alians Niezależnych Producentów Muzycznych
Boris Horvat, Director, Aquarius Records
Sebastian Cowan, Owner, Arbutus Records
Petra Reiter, Manager, Artist Factory Music
Stéphane Laick, Cofounder, AT(h)OME; FELIN – Fédération Nationale des Labels et Distributeurs Indépendants
Pär Winberg, Owner, Atenzia Records
Lars Leverenz, Head of Label, Audiolith
Marco Rossi, Owner, Azzurra Music
Johann Günther, Founder, Backlash Music
Arne Thamer-Steinwärder, Co-Founder & CEO, Backseat PR & Labelservices
Christoph Hallerberg, PR & Coaching, Backseat PR & Labelservices
Sebastian Król, Founder, Backseat PR & Labelservices
Mathieu Dassieu, CEO, Baco Music
Karl Bader, CEO , Bader/Molden Recordings
Kai Florian Becker, Founder – Label Manager, Barhill Records
Katie Garcia, Founder, Bayonet Records
Martin Mills, Chair, Beggars Group
Paul Redding, CEO, Beggars Group
Nils Kacirek, Musician, Bello Neon Records
Dan Waite, CEO, Better Noise
Danny Akalepse, Owner & Musician, Big Crown Records
Leon Michels, Owner; Musician & Producer, Big Crown Records; El Michels Affair
Miguel Angel Sancho, Director, Blau Producciones
Dietmar Hoscher, Founder, Blind Rope Records
Jeremy Lascelles, CEO and Co-Founder, Blue Raincoat Music/ Chrysalis Records
Hadi El Azzi, Chairman, BMYD – Bağımsız Müzik Yapımcıları Derneği
Randy Melibajew, Managing Director, Book of Raw GmbH
Henrietta Bauer, CEO / Managing Director, Bretford Records / What Is Happening? I Feel It Everywhere! GmbH
Phil Hill, Owner & Founder, Cargo Independent Distribution
Dario Giovannini, Managing Director, Carosello Records
Liza Bantegnie, Cofounder, Cartelle
Anne-Laurence Chambon, Director, Carton Records; Maison Tempête
Ester Petri, Managing Director, Carus-Verlag GmbH & Co. KG
Jeff Bratton, Owner, Cascine
Ben O’Connor, Label Manager, Chapter Music
Guy Blackman, Label Manager, Chapter Music
Andrew Cash, President and CEO, CIMA – Canadian Independent Music Association
Christof Ellinghaus, Founder – CEO, City Slang
Ian Ilavsky, Co-Owner, Constellation
Martin Goldschmidt, Co-Founder and Chairman, Cooking Vinyl
Jordi Freixa, Director, Cooperativa Montgri
Alexander Gramlich, Founder, copaseDisques
Robert Litsen, CEO, Cosmos Music
Simon Platz, Managing Director, Cube Records Ltd
Eduardo Jordão, General Manager, CultManagement Lda.
Bianca Eysenbrandt, Owner, Dackelton Records
Dario Draštata, Executive Director, Dallas Records; RUNDA – Regional Association of Independent Discographers in Adria
Javer Tomas Y Tio, General Manager, Darlalata
Phil Waldorf, Co-CEO, Dead Oceans
Borja Torres, Music Supervisor, Discos Buenos
Antonio Céspedes Pérez, Director General, División Sonora Producciones
Ricardo Fernández Arroyo, Communication Director, División Sonora Producciones
Clare Whitlock, Director Commercial & Business Affairs, Domino Recording Company Ltd.
Laurence Bell, CEO, Domino Recording Company Ltd.
Nigil Mack, CEO, drink sum wtr
Verena Boessmann, Co-Owner, Dunstan Media
Manuel Sanz, Director, Ecléctica Records/ Ecléctica Management
Dr. Sabine Meier, Managing Director, Edition Roland Musikverlag GmbH
Pierangelo Mauri, Founder, Edizioni ZYX Music; Net’s Work’s & Songs
David Aguado, Director, El Tragaluz
Denis Kappes, Co-owner, Eliterecords
Dario Raimondi, Founder – Label Manager, Energy Production
Ines Collarte, Director, Entrebotones
María Pellicer Lara, Director, Eo Música
Roger Dorresteijn, Managing Director, Epitaph Europe
Enrique Perea, A&R, Everlasting Records
Mark Kitcatt, Co-owner & chair, Everlasting Records; Popstock
Charles Caldas, Partner, Exceleration Music
Patrick Tilg, Producer, Feberwolle
Björn Mathes, Co-Founder / CEO, FerryHouse GmbH & Co. KG
Adeline Ferrante, Publishing Director, Fougue
Marcus Herbert, Label Manager, From Lo-Fi to Disco!
Silvana Battisti, Label Manager, From Lo-Fi to Disco!
Serafino Perugino, Founder, Frontiers Records
Ian Westley, Co-Owner, Full Time Hobby Music LTD
Nigel Adams, Co-Owner, Full Time Hobby Music LTD
Carl-Fredrik Häggqvist, CEO, Owner, Gazell Records AB
Nenad Borovčak, CEO, Geenger Records
Pavle Eftimovski, Managing Partner, Glitch Records
Chris Eckman, CEO, Glitterbeat Records
Alexander Waldron, Owner & CEO, Greco-Roman Ltd
Simon Kessler, Director, Greenpiste Records
Lenz Hein, Label Manager, Grönland
Louise Sansom, Director, founder, Hidden Track Records
Louis Posen, President, Hopeless Records
Per Faeltenborg, CEO, Hot Stuff AB/Svenska Energy Rekords & Publishing AB
Aymeric Genty, CEO, I.O.T Records
Stephen O’Malley, Label Owner, Ideologic Organ
Francisca Sandoval, President, IMICHILE – Asociación Gremial Industria Musical Independiente de Chile
Dylan Pellett, General Manager, IMNZ – Independent Music New Zealand
Helen Smith, CEO, IMPALA – European association of independent music companies
Katja Vauhkonen, Executive Director, Indieco – Suomen riippumattomien levy- ja tuotantoyhtiöiden yhdistys
Anca Lupes, Executive Director, INDIERO – Asociatia a producatorilor si editorilor de muzica independenti din Romania
Andreas Ryser, Founder, IndieSuisse – Association of Swiss independent music labels and producers
Alexandre Cazac, Artistic director, cofounder, InFiné
Hannes Tschürtz, Founder & Managing Director, Ink Music
Pedro Marques, Director, Invict Sound & Vision
Darius Van Arman, Co-CEO, Jagjaguwar; Secretly Distribution
David Morel, Director, Jarring Effects
Stephan Bourdoiseau, President, Wagram Music
Calvin Johnson, Founder, K Records
Tom Nieuweboer, CEO, K7!
Lio Cerezo, Owner / A&R, Kanine Records
Tony Presley, Label Manager, Keeled Scales
Rajk Barthel, Founder – Owner, Kick The Flame Publishing GmbH
Gilles Dutrève, Director, La Granges à Sons
Isabella Viertbauer, Founder, Label 4
Peter Cronemeyer, Owner, Laika-Records
Daryl Fidelak, Founder, Lampshade Media
Andreas Jantsch, CEO & Founder, Las Vegas Records
Helmut Heuer, Owner, Légère Recordings
Tanja Michaelis, Founder – Managing Director, Made_in_Germany – music GmbH
Robert Stieler, Owner – Managing Director, Major Label
Zsolt Jeges, Founder, Mamazone Records; HAIL – Hungarian Association of Independent Labels
Mats Hammerman, CEO, Massproduktion i Sundsvall AB
Chris Lombardi, C-founder, Matador
Gerard Cosloy, Co-founder, Matador
Patrick Amory, Co-founder, Matador
David Buder, Co-Founder & CEO, Matches Music
Oliver von Felbert, Founder, A&R and label manager, Melting Pot Music GmbH
Mac McCaughan, CEO, Merge Records
Mik Christensen, Label Manager and Partner, Mermaid Records
Jorge Otero, Director, Meseta Records
Anders Mörén, Owner, Misty Music AB
Adam Weisman, Musician, Mixed Salad
Walter Gröbchen, CEO, Monkey Music
Marta Sampaio, Manager, Monster Jinx
Miran Rusjan, Founder, Moonlee Records
Theresa Langner-Schibranji, Founder, Morinoko
Larry Bringsjord, CEO, Owner, MTG Music; FONO – Norwegian Association for Independent Record Labels
Javier De Esteban, CEO, Music Adders
Annalea Bertelsen, Board Member, Music For Dreams
Geert De Blaere, Founder – Owner, N.E.W.S. nv; BIMA – Belgian Independent Music Association
Carol von Rautenkranz, Managing Partner, Napa Sounds GmbH
Mario Limongelli, Founder, Nar International PMI – Produttori Musicali Indipendenti
Neil Grant, Founder – Manager, Neil Grant Media & Promotion
Bruno Cariou, Director, Neomme
Elin Trogen, CEO, NONS Records
Jon Madsen, Managing Director, Nordic Music Society
Christian Pliefke, Founder, Nordic Notes / CPL-Musicgroup
Derek Birkett, Director, One Little Independent Ltd
Beatriz Concepcion, Director, Oso Polita
Vittorio Cigala, Managing Director, OYEZ!
Dagobert Böhm, Director, Ozella Music
Ciaran Conroy, Co-CEO, Paragon Records
Brian Scally, Co-CEO, Paragon Records
Andy Widder, Founder, Part Records / Rockin‘ Rollin‘ Products
Mario Rossori, Founder, Pate Records
Vedran Meniga, CEO, Pdv Records
Maria Romana Trainini, Managing Director, Peer Southern Productions
Fabian Burbano, Director, Play Abc Sl/Abc Music
Jonas Sjöström, Chairman and Founder, Playground Music Scandinavia
Johan Alm, co-owner, PNKSLM Recordings AB
Matthias Broeckel, Director, PORK PIE
Mathias Schwarz, Managing Director, Powerline Agency OHG
Martin Koller, Owner, ProMedia GmbH
Stefan Groß, Owner, Q-rious Music
Axel Franzén, Owner, Rama Lama Records
Daniel Meteo, Founder & Co-Owner, Random Musick Publishing GmbH
Eva Pyko, Managing Director, Random Musick Publishing GmbH
Riku Paakkonen, Founder & Managing Director, Ranka Kustannus
Paulina Parvanov, CEO, Raspberry Soda
Elaine McCann, Head of Label, Reckless Records
Nelly Santamarta, Owner & Chair, Registros de Cultura
Eva Santamaría Molina, Publishing Manager, Republic Network Oü
Etienne Tricard, Cofounder, Rescue + Return Records
Anne-Flore Levacher, Head of projects, Roche Musique
Geoff Travis, Founder, Rough Trade
Jeanette Lee, Founder, Rough Trade
Jeff Casazza, Owner / A&R, Run For Cover
Matt Werth, Owner/CEO, RVNG Intl
Caleb Braaten, Founder, Sacred Bones Records
Branko Paić, Managing Director, Scardona
Henrik Guemoes, Managing Director, Schubert Music Publishing GmbH
Nuno Saraiva, Founder-Director, SCL / Lusitanian
Justin West, CEO, Secret City Recordings
Ben Swanson, Co-CEO, Secretly Canadian
Chris Swanson, Co-CEO, Secretly Group
Filip Lundgren, CEO, Septembernatt
Eva Wilke, CEO, Owner, Silence AB
Barbara Preisinger, Founder – Owner, Slices Of Life
Joakim Haugland, Owner, Small Town Supersound
Eva Karman Reinhold, CEO, Owner, Smilodon/Karman Innovative Consulting; SOM – Svenska Oberoende Musikproducenter
Alejandro Varela, Owner & Chair, S-Music Records
Maurice Summen, Owner, Staatsakt / Fun in the Church
Fredrik Holmgren, CEO, StarTracks AB
Margit Sarholz, Musician, Sternschnuppe Verlag GbR
Werner Meier, Musician, Sternschnuppe Verlag GbR
Kees van Weijen, President, STOMP – Stichting Onafhankelijke Muziekproducenten
Gugai MacNamara, CEO, Strange Brew
Jonathan Poneman, Co-Founder, Sub Pop
Megan Jasper, CEO, Sub Pop
Tony Kiewel, Co-President, Sub Pop
Bo Magnusson, co-owner, Subspace Communications AB
Julian Scheufler, Producer, Südpark Studio München
David Dickenson, Founder, Suicide Squeeze Records
Wolfgang Koch, Owner, syborgmusic
Volker Sonntag, CEO, TAG-7
Tue Kjerstein, Partner and co-managing Director, Tambourhinoceros
Kristoffer Rom, Partner and co-managing Director, Tambourhinoceros; DUP – Danske Uafhængige Pladeselskaber
Detlef Engelhard, CEO, Termidor Musikverlag & Timba Records GmbH&Co.KG
Jakob Sørensen, CEO and Founding Partner, The Bank
Tony Morley, Managing Director, The Leaf Label Ltd
Ken Shipley, President, The Numero Group
Rob Sevier, CEO, The Numero Group
Mauro Farina, Founder, The Saifam Group
Gerald Oppermann, Founder – Owner, Timezone GbR
Teddy Maier, Founder, Tonzoo
Tweety Gonzalez, Owner & Chair, Twittin Records
Sonia Duran, General Manager, UFI – Unión Fonográfica Independiente
Ari Stern, Founder, Underwater Peoples / Stern Records
Ina Schulz, Head of Label, Unique Musikverlag GmbH
Guilhem Cottet, Director-General, UPFI – Union des producteurs phonographiques français indépendants
Christoph Dohr, Owner, verlag dohr köln
Matthias Möbius, Owner, viamas gmbh
Alexander Hirschenhauser, Board Member, VTMÖ – Verband unabhängiger Tonträgerunternehmen, Musikverlage und MusikproduzentInnen Österreich
Jörg Heidemann, Managing Director, VUT – Verband unabhängiger Musikunternehmer*innen
Kevin Fleming, Managing Director, Warp Records
Brian Sampson, Owner, Western Vinyl
Doug Warner, Owner, Wharf Cat Records
Noemí Planas, CEO, WIN – Worldwide Independent Network
Jared Jones, Owner, Winspear
Ben Beardsmore, Managing Director, XL Recordings
Caius Pawson, Founder, Young
Tobba Andersson, Owner, Zorch Production
