Settling down to business after EC clearance ruling.

The EC's decision to allow Sony and BMG to merge, some three years after the two majors effectively did, means the group can now knuckle down to the day-to-day running of the world's second largest recorded music company.

Although the major is adamant that business continued as usual while the EC investigated its merger, which was originally cleared in 2004, it will doubtlessly breathe a sigh of relief that it has not been forced to make remedies as a condition to the deal.

It will therefore not be sidetracked by auctions of its assets, as Universal is now doing with a raft of publishing catalogues, including Rondor UK, Zomba UK and 19 Songs.

Naturally, Sony/BMG and its two parent companies welcomed EC competition commissioner Neelie Kroes' decision.

"Sony/BMG and its parents are pleased that the Commission has again approved the formation of Sony/BMG, confirming that it raises no competition concerns in the EU," Sony BMG's joint owner Sony Corporation of America said in a statement.

"In the 14 months since the Court of First Instance annulled the original 2004 clearance decision, the Commission has carried out an exhaustive investigation involving a detailed analysis of a great deal of data concerning the dynamics of competition in the recorded music industry in 15 European Economic Area countries.

"This investigation has enabled the Commission to comprehensively take account of the matters identified by the CFI.