Blur, Other Acts Threatening to Strike Over Parlophone/EMI-Universal Plans

Blur is leading a myriad of artists who may decide to toss a huge wrench into Universal Music Group's sell-off of the prestigious Parlophone label by refusing to release new material.

Part of OKing the merger between major labels EMI and Universal Music Group hinges on EMI umbrella label Parlophone being sold off to a third party.

The Independent reports the decision is to protest the fact the acts, primarily on the Parlophone roster which includes Kylie Minogue and Tinie Tempah among others, are being treated as "assets" in the 1.2 Billion (BP) takeover. The goal is lobbying potential bidders for the company with importance placed on the artists first.

"Artists are the only people currently being left out of the conversation, which is unfortunate," Blur's drummer Dave Rowntree told the publication. "If the staff at the label are unhappy with the new arrangement they are free to leave, but the artists are not."

Rowntree, who is supporting negotiations through the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), a "trade union" of artists, says "the FAC and the Music Managers Forum are looking to engage with Parlophone to see how we can help."

The sale includes consistent money-making acts such as Pink Floyd, Tina Turner, Duran Duran and David Bowie. The Parlophone sale excludes The Beatles catalog as well as Robbie Williams, Katy Perry and the Beach Boys.

"We are holding discussions with potential bidders," Music Managers Forum chief executive Jon Webster said. "We want them to understand that the future of the record business is about genuine partnership with artists and that works best when their views are involved and they are not just traded as assets. Artists have withheld releases to get better terms if they are powerful enough. They can sit down with the new owners and get a solution."

The labels have yet to comment or respond to the possible actions these artists might take should the sale proceed.