Universal sheds catalogues to Dutch publisher.

Newly-formed Dutch music publishing company ImageMusic is looking for London offices after taking control of a number of catalogues from Universal.

The new company has been formed by Dutch pension fund ABP and leading Dutch-based independent publishing company CP Masters following a deal for an undisclosed sum to buy catalogues including Rondor UK, Zomba UK, 19 Music and BBC Music Publishing.

ABP and CP Masters fought off competition from players including former BMG Music Publishing chief Nick Firth, Sony/ATV, Warner, Bug and Lagadere to acquire the catalogues, which Universal was required to sell by the European Commission as part of approval for its E1.63bn (#1.2bn) deal to buy BMG Publishing.

Under the deal, Universal Music Publishing will sub-publish the catalogues outside the UK and continental Europe, while ImageMusic will sub-publish Zomba US in the UK and Europe.

The deal for the catalogues, which was announced last Wednesday, puts ImageMusic in charge of a roster including a number of high-profile acts and well-known songs.

Rondor UK, for example, includes material from Kaiser Chiefs and Mark Knopfler, plus songs including Chris De Burgh's Lady In Red and The Hollies' hit The Air That I Breathe, while Zomba UK offers the likes of Iron Maiden and songs such as the Bryan Adams global smash Everything I Do (I Do It For You) and Britney Spears' introductory hit +Baby One More Time.

For CP Masters' parent company CTM it adds to an empire that already includes the existing music publishing company, plus a CD/DVD company and TV production and film operations.