FTC to appeal Microsoft and Activision Blizzard merger ruling (Update).
Microsoft announced in April it planned to acquire Activision Blizzard, publisher of Call of Duty and Overwatch games, for $68.7 billion; since then it has faced resistance from politicians around the globe in getting permission for that transaction to go forward.
Recent court proceedings surrounding Microsoft have exposed interesting details regarding Microsoft’s relationship with Activision and past acquisition targets as well as PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan’s opinions regarding Starfield exclusivity.
After five days of testimony were complete and Microsoft was found not guilty, the FTC filed notice that it intends to appeal this ruling and appeal.
How are you reacting to this new development between Microsoft and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)?
As reported by The Verge, the notice of appeal filed by a regulatory body on July 12 doesn’t specify its grounds for appealing. Instead, this information will likely become apparent upon submission of its full rationale to the American Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
“Microsoft President Brad Smith issued a statement to The Verge about their disappointment with the FTC for continuing with what has become an evidently weak case and their attempts at delaying movement forward,” according to an appeal hearing hearing notice filed against Microsoft by The FTC.
Since Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley denied the FTC’s preliminary injunction application that would have prevented Microsoft and Activision Blizzard from closing their deal prior to July 18 as planned, NASDAQ announced today that Activision Blizzard will be removed from its index prior to July 17, suggesting a potential completion of their deal soon thereafter.
If the FTC does not receive emergency relief in court’s response to its appeal, this closure can go ahead; though Microsoft must still settle its disagreement with CMA first.
In April, UK regulators blocked this merger due to concerns related to cloud gaming; any restructuring designed to mitigate these worries may trigger another investigation of this merger.
No matter your take on this epic legal dispute, be sure to visit our coverage and guides of it as well as Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare 2’s ongoing developments; Season 4 Reloaded has only just kicked off for latter game!
