2023-04-25 20:43:28
While the decision of the CMA, the British antitrust authority, is expected tomorrow, Microsoft is preparing to validate the takeover of Activision Blizzard King, even if the FTC remains against it. The next few weeks are likely to be interesting.
Microsoft may complete takeover without FTC approval
If we had to sum up the last few months, we could say that only the FTC, the American antitrust authority, remains publicly against the takeover of Activision by Microsoft.
When we see PlayStation’s market share in Europe, we can imagine that the European Commission will validate the takeover next month. And on the UK side, the CMA should validate the takeover tomorrow morning, if we are to believe the rumors of the last few hours, which is much more likely since the rejection of a key argument from Sony.
So the big question would be what Microsoft would do if the FTC remains the only jurisdiction blocking the takeover. Officially, the American company has always said that it would go as far as possible to defend its interests, which the sources of the New York Post.
According to the outlet, Microsoft plans to complete the acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, despite the Federal Trade Commission’s decision in December to block the deal over antitrust concerns. According to sources close to the tech giant, Microsoft is hopeful of securing UK approval for its acquisition this week.
The same sources say that antitrust authorities in the United Kingdom and the European Union would have been seduced by Microsoft’s promises to give its rivals, including Sony and Nintendo, access to the Call of Duty franchise through contracts. officials.
The approval of Europe and the United Kingdom would undermine the arguments of the FTC even though several voices have already been raised about the questionable arguments of the American entity. “They’re going to swallow this at the FTC,” said a source familiar with the matter.
If granted European clearances, Microsoft intends to quickly close its merger with the “Call of Duty” maker at a price of $95 per share, the same source said. Last January, mICROSOFT attorney Beth Wilkinson told Administrative Judge D. Michael Chappell that if a resolution was not reached with the FTC, the agreement would be pursued and concluded after a resolution had been reached in all cases. current courts.
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