BRUSSELS, Oct 28 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators

have resumed their investigation into Universal Music Group

unit Virgin Music Group's $775-million bid for Downtown

Music with a new deadline of February 6 for their decision,

according to an update on the European Commission website.

The EU competition watchdog, which halted its scrutiny on

September 2 while waiting for the companies to provide requested

information, restarted the process on October 17.

It has said the deal may hamper competition and remove an

important player, echoing concerns from independent labels which

want the acquisition to be blocked.