July 09, 2008

By By Lars Brandle, London

The U.K.'s Office of Fair Trading has cleared Universal Music Publishing Group's acquisition of Big Life Music.

Although the decision has yet to be published on the corporate watchdog's Web site, a spokesman confirms to Billboard that the OFT has decided the deal has not created a relevant merger situation.

UMPG welcomed the development. "We are pleased with the OFT's thorough review and decision in this matter," say the company in a statement. "We are delighted to bring Big Life into the UMPG family."

UMPG's purchase of the independent publishing came to light in April. Through the agreement, UMPG will have worldwide publishing rights to alternative rock act Snow Patrol's past and future works. Launched in 1987, Big Life now boasts a catalog containing more than 2,000 copyrights, including works by Badly Drawn Boy, the Futureheads and Gabriela Montero.

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