By Mauro Orru


Italy's competition watchdog opened an investigation into Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc., saying the social-media giant may have abused its economic weight during talks to renew a licensing agreement with an Italian copyright agency to feature musical content on its platforms.

The Italian Competition Authority, or AGCM, said Wednesday that Meta may have unduly interrupted talks with the Italian Society of Authors and Publishers, or SIAE, after withholding information that SIAE needed to conduct fair negotiations. Meta removed SIAE-protected musical content from its Facebook and Instagram platforms last month after a breakdown in talks.

The regulator said Meta may have abused the contractual leverage it holds over SIAE, asking the agency to accept an inadequate offer without having the information needed to assess its fairness.

"We will cooperate fully with the inquiry. Protecting the copyrights of songwriters and artists is a top priority for us--that is why we remain committed to finding an agreement with SIAE that works for everyone," a Meta spokesperson said in a statement.

SIAE didn't respond to requests for comment. SIAE said last month that the removal of musical content from Meta's platforms was a "unilateral and incomprehensible choice."

The Italian Ministry of Culture stepped in to break the deadlock at the end of March, summoning Meta and SIAE for talks to be held on Thursday.


Write to Mauro Orru at mauro.orru@wsj.com; @MauroOrru94


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-05-23 0552ET