Press Release: Commission accepts Wendel Investissement as buyer of the assets of Editis (formerly Vivendi Universal Publishing) divested by Lagardère

The Commission has approved Wendel Investissement as buyer of all the assets of Editis, formerly Vivendi Universal Publishing (VUP), being divested by Lagardère. In January 2004, when the Commission was vetting Lagardère's plan to take over the old publishing arm of Vivendi Universal, Lagardère undertook to sell off VUP's publishing houses and its distribution and marketing services with the exception of certain named assets. The Commission takes the view that Wendel has the necessary independence, viability and capacity to offer effective competition on the relevant markets as the buyer of the new, reorganised Editis.