“The combined entity will have neither ‘must-have’ technologies nor unique products that competitors would be unable to produce,” the EU’s executive, the European Commission, said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Under the deal, Sony would take over Seiko Epson’s production of small-and medium-sized flat-screen LCDs, to add to its own portfolio of such screens.<\/p>\n
The deal had raised fears in Europe that it could give Sony an unfair edge over rival producers and lead to less choice and higher prices for consumers.<\/p>\n
But EU regulators decided that the takeover “would not raise any … competition concerns under any possible market definition.”<\/p>\n
That is because Sony would still face “a number of strong and effective competitors and many large and sophisticated customers,” the EU’s ruling said.<\/p>\n
The commission acts as the EU’s competition watchdog, and can block takeovers if it fears they would reduce consumer choice.<\/p>\n