Investigation into Mondadori's RCS Libri buy

Italy's Competition Authority is opening an investigation into Mondadori's acquisition of RCS MediaGroup's book unit, according to reports.

In  statement, the authority said it was looking into whether the acquisition would result in the creation of a dominant position in the market, because Mondadori and RCS are the two closest competitors among Italian publishing's big players, in an already concentrated market. The authority will check whether the acquisition reduces choice for authors and worsens terms for them.

The investigation will conclude within 45 days, with a further 30 days before the judgement is published.

RCS MediaGroup agreed to sell its book unit to Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, controlled by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, last October.