UPDATE 2-Vivendi offers big divestitures in BMG deal-source

(Adds comments by EU Commission, independent publishers)

By David Lawsky

BRUSSELS, March 15 (Reuters) - Vivendi's Universal Music (VIV.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) has offered major sell-offs to win Brussels' approval for its purchase of BMG Music Publishing, creating the world's largest music publisher, a source familiar with the case said.

Hit songs by Britney Spears, 'N Sync and the Backsteet Boys would be included in the divestiture of the Zomba Music Group catalogue, now owned by BMG Music Publishing, a unit of Bertelsmann [BERT.UL], the source said on Thursday.

The European Commission, which regulates competition in the 27-nation European Union, will soon send questionnaires to gauge rivals' and customers' views on Vivendi's proposed sale of several major catalogues under the 1.63 billion euro ($2.15 billion) cash deal, the source said.

The source said this market testing might help Vivendi avoid a Statement of Objections, a formal charge sheet from the Commission listing problems which complicate approval of a deal. But negative results might push the Commission toward a Statement of Objections.

EU regulators have a June 1 deadline to take a decision. A Commission spokesman had no comment.

Publishers have been increasingly coveted because they are shielded from some of the piracy issues that have rattled the music industry in the Internet age of file-sharing.

In addition to generating revenue when CDs or downloads are sold, publishers make money by licensing songs to be performed live and for use in films and television.