February 21, 2007

By by Susan Butler, N.Y.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) is urging the House Judiciary Committee to
examine the potential merger between XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite
Radio. He wants the committee to hold a hearing to look more closely at
legal parameters and competitive ramifications.

"A hearing on this matter would help Members ascertain important information
about the potential positive and negative commercial consequences resulting
from a merger between these two companies," Goodlatte wrote in a letter sent
today (Feb. 21) to House Judiciary chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) and
ranking member Lamar Smith (R-Tex.).

"One particular area that the Judiciary Committee should explore is whether
other music delivery methods, such as terrestrial radio services, Internet
radio services, and portable downloading services, should be considered part
of the 'relevant market' for purposes of the antitrust analysis or whether
those services are distinct," the letter states.

The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over antitrust matters.

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