BRUSSELS: The European Commission said Monday it has cleared Apple’s $3 billion (2.2 billion euros) acquisition of US headphone maker and music streaming business Beats.

Brussels had been concerned the takeover of Beats Electronics by the technology giant could hurt competition as both make headphones.

But the European Union’s executive arm ruled that even combined they would face stiff competition from the likes of Bose, Sennheiser and Sony.

In terms of digital music sales, the Commission came to a similar conclusion.

Last week, audio technology veteran Bose sued Beats Electronics over the alleged use of patented technology for canceling noise in earphones.