EC kicks off AOL-Time Warner inquiry

The European Commission has launched an inquiry into the planned $350bn merger between Time Warner and AOL.

The commission said it was worried about the monopoly effect the merger could have on the music industry in western Europe, particularly on the digital delivery of music over the internet.

This inquiry comes just days after the Commission began an investigation into the planned merger of record companies Warner Music and EMI.

Warner Music is a subsidiary of Time Warner, and the commission said they were worried that both mergers would lead to a cartel by the four companies over the European music and media industry.