Microsoft has achieved yet another legal triumph over the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its ongoing efforts to finalize the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The FTC's latest attempt to halt Microsoft's monumental $69 billion acquisition was decisively rejected by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. This ruling, delivered by a three-judge panel, marks the end of the FTC's challenge against the July 2023 decision that initially cleared the way for Microsoft to proceed with its acquisition, as reported by Reuters. The deal, which was first announced in late 2022, has now taken a significant step towards completion.
The journey to acquire Activision Blizzard has been fraught with scrutiny lasting over three years. Early opposition came from select U.S. Senators who raised alarms about the increasing consolidation within the tech sector, especially as Microsoft expanded its portfolio with major acquisitions. Concerns were particularly acute among competitors and gamers, who feared that popular franchises like Call of Duty might become exclusive to Microsoft platforms. In response, Microsoft assured that it had no plans to restrict such franchises to lengthy exclusivity periods.
Every Video Game Franchise Xbox Owns After Acquiring Activision Blizzard
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Despite facing numerous challenges throughout 2023, Microsoft successfully completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October of that year. The FTC's appeal represented a potential last-minute hurdle, but with its rejection, the path is now clear for Microsoft to move forward. This development effectively concludes the FTC's efforts to block the acquisition.
For those interested in a detailed timeline of Microsoft's challenges in securing its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, you can find more information by clicking here.
