According to CNBC reports, a person familiar with the matter revealed that the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will apply for an injunction today in an attempt to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Microsoft announced in January last year that it would acquire Activision Blizzard at a price of US$68.7 billion. This is the largest merger and acquisition case in the history of the game industry. day.
The FTC has sued the deal, asking its internal administrative judge to hear it. Through this trial-like process, a judge will make an initial decision, which can then be appealed to the full board. If Microsoft is dissatisfied with the committee’s vote, it can appeal to federal court. The case will go before an administrative law judge in August.
In addition, the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has also decided to block the deal, and Microsoft plans to appeal it this summer.
Microsoft President Brad Smith said: “We welcome the opportunity to present our case in federal court. We believe that expediting the legal process in the United States will ultimately bring more choice and competition to the marketplace.”
