The FTC refuses to give up in their attempts to block Microsoft from acquiring Activision Blizzard. In an order posted yesterday morning, the Federal Trade Commission announced their intent to return the matter to adjudication.
Update: An official statement has been sent to us from a Microsoft spokesperson regards to deal closing next month.
“We still anticipate that we will close the transaction by October 18, and we have full confidence in our case and the deal’s benefits to gamers and competition.”
Original Story:
Here’s the order itself for your viewing pleasure:
The documents recap the events and resolution of the previous hearings and end with a section calling for the case to be brought back to discussion:
The Commission has determined that the public interest warrants that this matter be resolved fully and expeditiously. Therefore, the Commission is returning this matter to adjudication.
The evidentiary hearing in this proceeding shall commence twenty one days after the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issues its opinion regarding the appeal of the district court decision on the requested preliminary injunction. Chief Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell has determined that the evidentiary hearing will be conducted virtually. Pursuant to Commission Rule 3.41(a), 16 C.F.R. § 3.41(a), we have determined to make provision for appropriate public access.
Lulu Cheng Meservey, the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Communications Officer at Activision Blizzard, replied to the news in a tweet stating that they would continue to work with Microsoft towards closing.
In response to questions about this: we’re focused on working with Microsoft toward closing.
How the FTC uses limited taxpayer resources is their decision. https://t.co/4NTulgQeBA
— Lulu Cheng Meservey (@lulumeservey) September 27, 2023
The FTC is determined to shut down this deal at all costs. It’s been impossible to go a week without hearing about something related to this case since it began almost a year ago. Following Microsoft’s win against the FTC back in July, we’ve seen dozens of leaks from the court documents. Now, the FTC wants to start up another attempt to shoot Microsoft and Activision Blizzard down.
To stay up to date on all the latest news regarding Microsoft and the FTC, stay tuned in to us here at MP1st.
Source: US FTC
More Microsoft Activision Reading:
“and the deal’s benefits to gamers and competition.”
Bullsh*t