Once upon a time EMI was the most successful of the Big four record labels, to now being split in half and sold off to two of its former competitors, Sony and Universal for $4.1 billion. According to Billboard.biz, Sony has purchased EMI Music Publishing, while the overgrowing Vivendi/Universal Music Group picked up the crown jewel, the EMI recorded music division, which includes the works of the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and a roster that currently includes Coldplay, Gorillaz, and Katy Perry.   

With the addition of EMI's 1.3 million song copyrights, Sony stands to become one of the largest competitors in an industry where six years ago it was far from a dominant force.

Considering Terra Firma bought EMI as a whole for $5.2 billion in 2007, the $1.8 billion Universal/Vivendi spent to purchase EMI's recorded music division is a bargain, even now that music sales are down significantly. Without getting too deep into the business details, the deal essentially means EMI will continue running as they have been in recent years, except now they'll be better managed.

No more Citigroup bankers who wouldn't know a hit song if it punched them in the face. People who actually understand the music industry are back atop of the corporate ladder. Universal has put together the most talented group of executives in the industry today.  This can only be a positive for the artists and executives at EMI.

UMG provided the press with quotes from artists and managers expressing their thoughts on the new developments.  As Mick Jagger said in a statement following news of the sale, "This is a very positive development and I particularly welcome the fact that EMI will once again be owned by people who really do have music in their blood."

Christman, E. (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/emi-publishing-goes-to-sony-label-to-universal-1005508552.story