The European Union may consider expanding options available tocompanies to block hostile takeovers as part of a review oflegislation on corporate acquisitions.

The European Commission in Brussels is examining whether firmshave too little power to use defensive measures such asshare-transfer restrictions or multiple voting rights to prevent ahostile takeover, according to a letter from the regulator obtainedby Bloomberg News.

EU regulators have struggled to clarify how far companies can gounder existing law to protect themselves against unwantedtakeovers. Hermes International SCA, the maker of Birkin bags, wona waiver of French market rules to shield itself against a possiblebid from LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA earlier this year.