Microsoft has won it’s (hopefully) final battle with the FTC . A federal judge denied the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction, prohibiting the deal from moving forward. As of 11:59 pm July 14th, the Activision/Microsoft deal can legally close, in the US.
The History (for those that are new):
- In January of 2022, Microsoft announced it’s intent to purchase Activision/Blizzard in a clear attempt to strengthen it’s gaming business
- In November of 2022, the FTC launched an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft in order to attempt to stop this deal
- Earlier this year, a TRO was granted, prohibiting Microsoft from closing the deal, pending trial
- On Tuesday (July 11), judge Jaquelline Scott Corley ruled in favor of Microsoft, giving the all clear for the merger
- On Wednesday (July 12), the FTC announced they were appealing the decision, and requested a stay of the TRO
- on Thursday (July 13), judge Corley rejected the stay of the TRO
- On Friday (July 14), the 9th circuit court, while adding the appeal on the docket (this has not been ruled on), denied the extension of the TRO again.
As of July 15, Microsoft is free to close the deal with Activision. They are considering selling cloud gaming rights in the UK to allow this to close faster and get around the CMA’s earlier denial
