FTC sues to block Microsoft-Activision Blizzard $69B merger

The Activision Blizzard Booth during the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, June 13, 2013. The Federal Trade Commission said Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, that it is suing to block Microsoft’s planned $69 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard, saying it could suppress competitors to its Xbox game consoles and its growing games subscription business.

“Microsoft has already shown that it can and will withhold content from its gaming rivals,” said a prepared statement from Holly Vedova, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. “Today we seek to stop Microsoft from gaining control over a leading independent game studio and using it to harm competition in multiple dynamic and fast-growing gaming markets.”

The FTC’s challenge -- which is being filed in an administrative court -- could be a test case for President Joe Biden’s mandate to scrutinize big tech mergers. “We continue to believe that this deal will expand competition and create more opportunities for gamers and game developers,” Smith said. The goal is to “not allow dodgy deals and not accept weak settlements,” said Kovacic, who was a Republican commissioner appointed in 2006 by then-President George W. Bush. But he said trying to block this acquisition could trigger a legal challenge from Microsoft that the company has a good chance of winning,

The deal is also under close scrutiny in the European Union and the United Kingdom, where investigations aren’t due to be completed until next year.

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FTC sues to block Microsoft-Activision Blizzard $69B mergerThe Federal Trade Commission said Thursday it is suing to block Microsoft’s planned $69 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard, saying it could suppress competitors to its Xbox game consoles and its growing games subscription business. My trans sons use to play call of duty before they transitioned but won't play it anymore because they refuse to be inclusive towards trans people now. So Sony can make games exclusive but Microsoft can’t? If the takeover doesn't work the first time, just unplug it and plug it back in. Usually does the trick.
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FTC sues to block Microsoft-Activision Blizzard $69B mergerThe Federal Trade Commission said Thursday it is suing to block Microsoft’s planned $69 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard, saying it could suppress competitors to its Xbox game consoles and its growing games subscription business.
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FTC sues to block Microsoft-Activision Blizzard mergerNEW: The FTC is suing to block Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of video game developer Activision Blizzard. nice
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FTC sues to block Microsoft-Activision Blizzard $69 billion mergerThe Federal Trade Commission said the merger could suppress competitors to Microsoft’s Xbox game consoles and growing games subscription business.
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FTC sues to block Microsoft's Activision Blizzard merger | EngadgetThe lawsuit is a major roadblock for Microsoft's panned takeover of Activision Blizzard. They will be crushed in court, there is no legal basis for that.
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