U.S. Probes Online Music Ventures

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WASHINGTON — The Justice Department opened an antitrust investigation of the online music business, focusing on two new joint ventures backed by five major record labels, Monday’s Wall Street Journal reported.

The probe, which is in a preliminary stage, is looking into possible anticompetitive problems posed by the joint ventures, lawyers close to the case said Friday. The government also is expected to examine the major record companies’ use of copyright rules and licensing practices to control online distribution of their music, these people said.



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