A US judge has granted the FTC’s request to temporarily block Microsoft’s acquisition of video game maker Activision Blizzard and set a hearing next week.
Based on the late-June hearing, the federal court will decide whether a preliminary injunction is necessary.
Microsoft and Activision must submit legal arguments opposing a preliminary injunction by June 16, while the FTC must reply on June 20.
Activision declined to comment Tuesday.
Microsoft said Tuesday “accelerating the legal process in the US will ultimately bring more choice and competition to the gaming market.”
The FTC has argued that the transaction would give Microsoft’s video game console Xbox exclusive access to Activision games, leaving Nintendo consoles and Sony Group’s PlayStation out in the cold.
Microsoft’s bid to acquire the “Call of Duty” video game maker was approved by the EU in May, but British competition authorities blocked the takeover in April.
Microsoft has said the deal would benefit gamers and gaming companies alike, and has offered to sign a legally binding consent decree with the FTC to provide “Call of Duty” games to rivals including Sony for a decade.
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[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 16.9 ms ] threadBased on the late-June hearing, the federal court will decide whether a preliminary injunction is necessary.
Microsoft and Activision must submit legal arguments opposing a preliminary injunction by June 16, while the FTC must reply on June 20.
Activision declined to comment Tuesday.
Microsoft said Tuesday “accelerating the legal process in the US will ultimately bring more choice and competition to the gaming market.”
The FTC has argued that the transaction would give Microsoft’s video game console Xbox exclusive access to Activision games, leaving Nintendo consoles and Sony Group’s PlayStation out in the cold.
Microsoft’s bid to acquire the “Call of Duty” video game maker was approved by the EU in May, but British competition authorities blocked the takeover in April.
Microsoft has said the deal would benefit gamers and gaming companies alike, and has offered to sign a legally binding consent decree with the FTC to provide “Call of Duty” games to rivals including Sony for a decade.