Google Said to Be Near Universal Music Deal for Song Downloads

Google Inc. is near an agreement to secure songs from Vivendi SA’s Universal Music Group for its new music service, said a person with knowledge of the situation.

An accord with Universal, the world’s biggest music company, may be signed as early as tomorrow, said the person, who isn’t authorized to talk publicly. Google sent out invitations for a music event on Nov. 16 in Los Angeles. EMI Group Ltd. has already signed on, two people said.