Vivendi to buy BMG, settle Napster claims

$2.1 billion deal transforms Vivendi into world's largest music publisher; Bertelsmann pays to settle Napster litigation.

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[heystoopid]

Oh well

Oh well, according to financial reports filed by SONY-BMG, they never made a trading profit since incorporation.

What will all the Sharks and bottom feeders that normally inhabit Wall Street say now?

[skeptik]

So which is it?

"The acquisition of BMG Music Publishing is a unique opportunity to grow our music publishing business and enhance the value of Universal Music Group at a time when the music market is improving, supported by technological innovations and digital sales," Vivendi Chief Executive Jean-Bernard Levy said.

So when they're lobbying for legislation against "piracy" they claim that their market is decreasing due to internet piracy. Yet when they're lobbying for investment dollars, they claim their market is improving, due to the same technology.
So which is it? Are they gaining ground or losing it? Has digital music helped or hurt their market? And most importantly, WHICH CLAIM IS THE LIE?