, Columnist
Bollore and Berlusconi Should Drop the Bullhead Act
Bollore and the Berlusconis should seek agreement in Italy.
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A year ago, Vivendi SA proclaimed an "important binding strategic and industrial agreement" with Italian broadcaster Mediaset SpA. Today the two groups have locked horns, with litigation pending over supposed violations of the deal and price. Vivendi's ambition of using Mediaset to help it become a media powerhouse in southern Europe remains stymied.
On the surface of it, the slapdown delivered to Vivendi by Italy's communications regulator this week should just deepen the French company's frustration. AGCOM said Vivendi was in breach of local media ownership rules because it owns big stakes in both Telecom Italia SpA and Mediaset.