Sony Corp has secured Mubadala to back its bid for British music company EMI. "The proposed acquisition of EMI Music publishing by Sony and an investor group including Mubadala has been notified to the European Commission," said a Mubadala spokeswoman. "The parties will continue to engage constructively with the Commission and are confident that the transaction will be approved." Citigroup is said to be seeking $3bn to $3.5bn for EMI.

Google began selling digital music via 'Google Music' on Wednesday. The new Google service offers music streaming, a music store and social media features. The Google Music store, which has been incorporated into the Android app market, already has over 13 million songs available, thanks to deals with Universal Music, Sony and EMI.

UAE based Mubadala Development Company has become part owner of London-based EMI, which is being sold in pieces for $4.1 billion. Mubadala, alongside Sony, the Raine Group and the Blackstone Group, have aquired EMI's music publishing rights in a deal worth $2.2 billion. Meanwhile, Vivendi’s Universal Music Group are set to buy EMI’s recorded music rights for $1.9 billion.