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☆ FTC to appeal Microsoft's deal to buy Activision Blizzard in merger agreement
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday it would appeal a decision from earlier this week by a district court judge allowing Microsoft to close its $69 billion Activision Blizzard merger. The FTC had asked for a preliminary injunction while a separate legal challenge to the merger unfolds in the agency’s in-house administrative court. Tuesday’s decision paved the way for Microsoft to potentially finalize the deal with Activision in a matter of days, ahead of a July 18 contractual deadline. Alternatively, the companies could mutually seek to extend that timeframe. Consummating the deal would turn Microsoft into the third largest video game publisher in the world, after Tencent and Sony.

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley, “ Organizations: CNN, Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, FTC, Activision, Tencent, Sony, Sony PlayStation

A reckoning for Lina KhanA federal judge’s decision to let Microsoft close its $70 billion takeover of the video game maker Activision Blizzard didn’t just represent a win for the tech giant. Microsoft is close to clinching the deal. In her 53-page ruling, Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley wrote that the F.T.C. had failed to show that Microsoft buying the maker of Call of Duty would substantially reduce competition in the video game market. That means the Activision deal, the largest tech acquisition ever, could close as soon as next week.

Persons: Lina Khan, Jacqueline Scott Corley Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, Britain’s, Authority

☆ FTC could appeal Microsoft-Activision ruling as soon as Wednesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Federal Trade Commission could appeal a judge's decision against its attempt to block Microsoft and Activision Blizzard from closing their $68.7 billion deal as soon as Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to CNBC. Bloomberg first reported that the agency was leaning toward an appeal after U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley denied the FTC's request for a preliminary injunction. The FTC has not reached a final decision on appealing, according to the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly on internal discussions. But the temporary restraining order that prevents Microsoft and Activision from closing will expire after 11:59 p.m. PT on Friday. Even if it appeals, the agency will be racing against the clock of the deal deadline until the court acts.

Persons: Lina Khan, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Brad Smith, we've, Steve Kovach Organizations: Energy, Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, CNBC, Bloomberg, U.S, FTC, Activision, Markets Authority, Sony Locations: Rayburn, U.S

☆ FTC says it will appeal to block Microsoft-Activision deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

On Wednesday, the agency filed to appeal a federal judge's decision to deny a request for a preliminary injunction that would have prevented the deal from closing. CNBC reported earlier on Wednesday that FTC could bring the judge's decision to the 9th Circuit appeals court. The FTC declined to comment on its legal response to the judge's decision. We're confident the U.S. will remain among the 39 countries where the merger can close," an Activision Blizzard spokesperson wrote in an email. WATCH: Activision CEO Bobby Kotick: Would be surprised if the FTC wastes taxpayer money on appeal

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley, Bobby Kotick, CNBC's Julia Boorstin, I'd, Kotick, Brad Smith, haven't, We're Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft, Activision, U.S, Northern, Northern District of, FTC, CNBC, Wednesday Activision, Activision Blizzard, Markets Authority Locations: Northern District, Northern District of California, United Kingdom, U.S

WASHINGTON, July 11 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge ruled on Tuesday that Microsoft may go forward with its planned acquisition of videogame maker Activision Blizzard, turning aside antitrust enforcers' request for a preliminary injunction to temporarily stop the $69 billion deal. The FTC had originally asked the judge to stop the proposed deal, arguing it would give Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), maker of the Xbox gaming console, exclusive access to Activision (ATVI.O) games including the best-selling "Call of Duty." The deal would be the largest for Microsoft and the biggest in the history of the videogame business. The FTC's complaint had cited concerns about loss of competition in console gaming, as well as subscriptions and cloud gaming. And while much of the testimony in the recent trial focused on "Call of Duty," Activision produces other bestsellers like "World of Warcraft," "Diablo" and the mobile game "Candy Crush Saga."

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, Douglas Farrar, we'll, Brad Smith, Bobby Kotick, Satya Nadella, Diane Bartz, Caitlin Webber Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, Britain's, Markets Authority, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Microsoft Corp, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo, Sony Group, Activision Blizzard, PlayStation, Thomson Locations: U.S, San Francisco

☆ Activision Blizzard jumps 11% after judge rules Microsoft can buy the video game publisher in a win over FTC
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Max Adams | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Activision Blizzard stock popped 11% after a judge paved the way for Microsoft to complete its takeover of the game publisher. She said the deal would in fact enhance access to popular game franchises like "Call of Duty" and other titles published by Activision. The company has said it is concerned that Microsoft will make popular franchises like "Call of Duty" exclusive to its consoles. Microsoft has said it doesn't intent to do this, but critics point to the firm's $11 billion takeover of Zenimax in 2021. The deal can now proceed before a hearing that the FTC had scheduled for August, in which it was set to challenge the merger.

Persons: Microsoft's, Jaqueline Scott Corley, Biden, Bobby Kotick Organizations: Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, Federal Trade Commission, Service, Privacy, US, FTC, Activision, That's, Sony, Xbox Locations: Wall, Silicon, Zenimax

☆ Microsoft-Activision ruling highlights Lina Khan's struggles to fight tech
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Khan first emerged in antitrust circles for her critiques of how antitrust enforcement overlooked potential abuses by Amazon . The ruling means the parties are closer to being able to complete their merger by their July 18 deadline. "In the coming days we'll be announcing our next step to continue our fight to preserve competition and protect consumers." It's not the first time a judge has looked dubiously on the FTC's antitrust enforcement theories under Khan. WATCH: Judge denies FTC request for preliminary injunction to stop Microsoft-Activision deal

Persons: Lina Khan, Lina Khan's, Khan, Joe Biden, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley, Microsoft's, we'll, It's, Matt Stoller, Stoller, –, Microsoft — Organizations: Energy, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, FTC, Activision, PlayStation, Nintendo, U.K, Competition, American Economic Liberties, Twitter, Biden, CNBC, YouTube Locations: Rayburn

☆ Factbox: What's next after US judge rules in favor of Microsoft-Activision deal?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

With the first fight in federal court in California wrapped up, the agency and companies have decisions to make about what comes next. * Or the agency may choose to challenge Corley's ruling in a federal appeals court. An administrative law judge at the FTC is scheduled to hear arguments about the deal in August. The next stop after that would be a federal appeals court. * If the FTC wins, the companies can appeal to the commission to overturn the decision and, if needed, take the case to a federal appeals court.

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley's, Michael Chappell, Lina Khan, Chappell, Khan, Diane Bartz, Matthew Lewis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Meta, FTC, Thomson Locations: California, Illumina's, Washington

☆ Microsoft can close its Activision merger, federal judge rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A federal judge will not block Microsoft (MSFT) from closing its $69 billion deal to acquire video game giant Activision Blizzard, a defeat for US regulators who had asked for a temporary injunction while legal challenges to the merger unfold. Microsoft could potentially finalize the deal with Activision in a matter of days, ahead of a July 18 contractual deadline, or the parties could mutually seek to extend that timeframe. During a five-day hearing last month in federal court, Microsoft executives including CEO Satya Nadella testified that properties such as “Call of Duty” would not be restricted from competitors following the deal’s close. UK officials also previously moved to block the Activision merger in April, citing some of the same concerns the FTC raised in its case and triggering an appeal from Microsoft. “Microsoft and Activision have agreed with the CMA that a stay of the litigation in the UK would be in the public interest and the parties have made a joint submission … to this effect.”

Persons: ”, “, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley, Satya Nadella, Tuesday’s, Microsoft’s, “ We’re, Brad Smith, we’ve, Bobby Kotick, Meta’s, ” Douglas Farrar, we’ll, ” Smith Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, Activision, US, Court, Northern, Northern District of, Sony PlayStation, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Regulators, Nvidia, Nintendo, “, PlayStation, Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Markets, CMA Locations: Northern District, Northern District of California, ”, San Francisco

A federal judge on Tuesday ruled against the Federal Trade Commission’s attempt to delay Microsoft’s $70 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, setting the stage for the tech giant and the video game publisher to merge as soon as this month. In a 53-page decision, Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California said the F.T.C. had failed to show it was likely to prove that the merger was likely to result in a substantial reduction in competition that would harm consumers. The ruling is a significant blow to the F.T.C.’s efforts to police blockbuster tech mergers more aggressively. has sued Microsoft, Meta and Amazon, but it walked away from one of its cases against Meta and has had little to show for its efforts so far.

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, Lina Khan Organizations: Federal Trade, Activision Blizzard, U.S, Northern, Microsoft, Meta Locations: Northern District, California

☆ FTC would face tough appeal of Microsoft-Activision order -experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Mike Scarcella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

She gave the FTC until Friday to seek an order in the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. The FTC had no immediate comment on whether it would appeal and what arguments it might make before a three-judge panel. "The FTC may have difficulty on appeal establishing that fact - without which the case as they framed it goes away," Crane said. In her 53-page order, Corley said it was not enough for the FTC to argue that "a merger might lessen competition - the FTC must show the merger will probably substantially lessen competition." A trial before an administrative law judge at the FTC begins on Aug. 2.

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley, Daniel Crane, Crane, Luke Hasskamp, Robert Lande, Joseph Alioto, Alioto, Mike Scarcella, Matthew Lewis Organizations: U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft, Activision, Circuit, Appeals, FTC, University of Michigan Law School, University of Baltimore, Thomson Locations: U.S, San Francisco, Washington

☆ Activision Blizzard stock surges 10% after judge rules on Microsoft deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Ashley Capoot | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of Activision Blizzard closed up 10% on Tuesday after a judge denied the Federal Trade Commission's motion for a preliminary injunction to stop Microsoft from acquiring the video game maker. Activision Blizzard's stock reached a 52-week high of $92.91 per share, and the move reflects the biggest jump for the video game publisher since the deal was first announced on Jan. 18, 2022. Activision Blizzard shares hit their highest close since July 2021. Microsoft agreed to buy Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, or $95 per share, but the acquisition has faced opposition in the U.S. and abroad over concerns that it could stifle competition. The FTC can now bring the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, and Microsoft and Activision Blizzard must find a way forward to resolve opposition from the Competition and Markets Authority in the United Kingdom.

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, Bobby Kotick, — CNBC's Jordan Novet Organizations: Activision Blizzard, Federal, Microsoft, Activision, Jan, U.S, Northern, Northern District of, Court, FTC, U.S ., Appeals, Circuit, Competition, Markets Authority Locations: U.S, Northern District, Northern District of California, United Kingdom

Activision shares surged 10% on the day, as the U.S. and Britain have been the two countries opposed to what would be Microsoft's biggest deal ever and the largest transaction in the videogame industry's history. Microsoft shares rose 64 cents to $332.47. Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard's games characters in this illustration taken January 18, 2022. "It does seem like the Microsoft and the CMA could work out a deal within the next couple of weeks," said D.A. The FTC's complaint had cited concerns about loss of competition in console gaming, as well as subscriptions and cloud gaming.

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, ”, Joost Van Dreunen, University's, Corley, Douglas Farrar, we'll, Dado Ruvic, Biden, Brad Smith, Franco Granda, Satya Nadella, Diane Bartz, David Shepardson, Jaspreet Singh, Aditya Soni, Chris Sanders, Caitlin Webber, Matthew Lewis David Gregorio, Muralikumar Organizations: Activision, Microsoft, Biden, U.S, Markets Authority, University's Stern School of Business, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Nintendo, Sony Group, FTC, Sony PlayStation, REUTERS, FOCUS Gaming, CMA, Davidson &, PlayStation, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S, British, Britain, San Francisco, New, Washington, Bengaluru

☆ Microsoft-Activision deal moves closer as judge denies FTC injunction request
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A federal judge in San Francisco has denied the Federal Trade Commission's motion for a preliminary injunction to stop Microsoft from completing its acquisition of video game publisher Activision Blizzard. The judge was deciding whether to grant the FTC's request for an emergency injunction to prevent the deal from closing. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick both testified, as did executives from Alphabet, Nvidia and Sony. Kotick said during the hearings that the Activision Blizzard board didn't see how the deal could continue if the judge were to grant the preliminary injunction. "After today's court decision in the U.S., our focus now turns back to the UK.

Persons: isn't, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Bobby Kotick, Brad Smith, we've, Satya Nadella, we'll, Kotick, Smith Organizations: Federal, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, FTC, Competition, Markets Authority, Court, Activision, U.S, Northern, Northern District of, PlayStation, Nvidia, Sony, Federal Trade Commission, CMA Locations: San Francisco, United Kingdom, Northern District, Northern District of California, Europe, U.S

☆ I spent 5 years interviewing 233 millionaires—here are 5 things they never waste money on
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Tom Corley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

I spent five years studying 233 millionaires to learn about their habits and the way they think. But almost everyone told me that what contributed more to their wealth was that they stopped wasting money on certain things:1. Cheaply made productsThey refused to drop money on the latest fashion trends, or inexpensive and poorly constructed furniture. Outdoor tools and equipmentWhile some still enjoyed doing outdoor work, like mowing their lawn, weeding, landscaping and trimming, the vast majority — once they got wealthy — hired landscapers to take care of all outdoor upkeep. This meant they no longer spent money repairing or replacing old equipment.

Persons: —, landscapers

☆ The biggest takeaways from Microsoft's courtroom showdown with the FTC over Activision Blizzard
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +21 min

The impulse to expand Microsoft's gaming business on mobile devices at least in part inspired the Activision acquisition. The impulse to expand Microsoft's gaming business on mobile devices at least in part inspired the Activision acquisition. Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, wasn't happy with a Microsoft-generated list of Activision Blizzard games that would remain accessible on the PlayStation after the acquisition closes. Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, wasn't happy with a Microsoft-generated list of Activision Blizzard games that would remain accessible on the PlayStation after the acquisition closes. Activision Blizzard and Microsoft have agreed to terminate the deal if it's not done by July 18.

Persons: Satya Nadella, Phil Spencer, Spencer, James Weingarten, Weingarten, Jim Ryan, Sony, Ryan, Amy Hood, Bobby Kotick, Sarah Bond, Kotick, Amazon Weingarten, Bond, Tim Stuart, Nadella, Bernstein, Mark Moerdler, Hood, Stuart, it's, Jacqueline Scott Corley, she'll Organizations: Northern, Northern District of, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Sony, PlayStation, Mobile, Activision, Xbox, Zynga, Sega Sammy, Nintendo, Enix, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Management, Sony Group, Amazon, Microsoft's Xbox, Bernstein Research, Symantec, Sony PlayStation Locations: U.S, Northern District, Northern District of California, San Francisco, cybersecurity, United Kingdom, FarmVille, Asia, Japan, Tokyo

That would leave Nintendo (7974.T) and Sony Group (6758.T) out in the cold, the FTC has said. Asked if Microsoft would have any incentive to shut out Sony's PlayStation in order to sell more Microsoft Xbox consoles, Nadella responded: "It makes no economic sense and no strategic sense." To address the FTC concerns, Microsoft has agreed to license "Call of Duty" to rivals. The FTC has asked Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in San Francisco to temporarily stop the deal from closing in order to allow the agency's in-house judge to decide the case. Resolving the U.S. lawsuit is one of several key antitrust battles Microsoft and Activision have fought around the world.

Persons: Microsoft Corporation Satya Nadella, Read, Satya Nadella, Nadella, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Biden, Bobby Kotick, Diane Bartz, Lincoln Organizations: Microsoft Corporation, . Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Federal Trade Commission, Activision, Nintendo, Sony Group, FTC, PlayStation, European Union, Thomson Locations: California, Downtown San Francisco , California, U.S, WASHINGTON, San Francisco

The deal had been announced in January 2022 and the FTC sued to stop it in December last year. Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in San Francisco pressed FTC lawyers on where their economist got the data to show the deal would harm consumers. The FTC has said that if Microsoft bought Activision, Microsoft would have the incentive and the ability to harm competition in markets related to consoles, subscription game services and cloud gaming. "The harm here is we think is substantial in locking up Activision content," said FTC lawyer James Weingarten. To address the FTC concerns, Microsoft has agreed to license "Call of Duty" to rivals.

Persons: Microsoft Corporation Satya Nadella, Read, Microsoft's, Jacqueline Scott Corley, James Weingarten, Corley, Microsoft's Beth Wilkinson, it's, Satya Nadella, Nadella, Biden, Diane Bartz, Lincoln Organizations: Microsoft Corporation, . Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, U.S . Federal Trade, Activision, Federal Trade Commission, Nintendo, Sony Group, FTC, PlayStation, Thomson Locations: California, Downtown San Francisco , California, U.S, WASHINGTON, San Francisco, British, Canada

"You would have a revolt if you were to remove the game from one platform," said Kotick. He said that removing "Call of Duty" from PlayStation, which is made by Sony Group (6758.T), would be "very detrimental" to Activision's business. The Federal Trade Commission has asked a judge to stop the Microsoft acquisition temporarily in order to allow the agency's in-house judge to decide the case. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is scheduled to testify on Wednesday afternoon before Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in federal court. The agency says the transaction would give Microsoft, which makes the Xbox console, exclusive access to Activision games, leaving Nintendo (7974.T) and Sony Group out in the cold.

Persons: Bobby Kotick, Kotick, Satya Nadella, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Biden, Diane Bartz, Greg Bensinger, Matthew Lewis Organizations: FRANCISCO, Activision, Microsoft, PlayStation, Sony Group, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Nintendo, Britain's, Markets Authority, Thomson Locations: United States, Washington, San Francisco

☆ Microsoft, Activision CEOs expected to urge US judge to allow $69 billion merger
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Federal Trade Commission has asked a judge to stop the transaction temporarily in order to allow the agency's in-house judge to decide the case. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is expected to testify on Wednesday morning, followed by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in the afternoon. The case, which is being heard in federal court in San Francisco, will be decided by Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley. The FTC says the transaction would give Microsoft exclusive access to Activision games, leaving Nintendo (7974.T) and Sony Group (6758.T) out in the cold. Reporting by Diane Bartz in Washington and Greg Bensinger in San Francisco Editing by Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bobby Kotick, Satya Nadella, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Diane Bartz, Greg Bensinger, Matthew Lewis Organizations: FRANCISCO, U.S, Microsoft, Activision, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Nintendo, Sony Group, Britain's, Markets Authority, Thomson Locations: San Francisco, United States, Washington

The Federal Trade Commission has asked a judge to stop the proposed acquisition because, it argues, it would give Microsoft, maker of the Xbox console, exclusive access to Activision games, which include the highly popular "Call of Duty." Asked if Microsoft would have any incentive to refuse to allow the games on Sony's PlayStation in order to sell more of its Xbox consoles, Nadella responded, "It makes no economic sense and no strategic sense." To address the FTC concerns, Microsoft has agreed to license the blockbuster "Call of Duty" to rivals. It has also argued that it is better off financially by licensing the games to all comers. Kotick argued there was no incentive for Microsoft, if it closes the deal for Activision, to restrict who offers the company's games.

Persons: Microsoft Corporation Satya Nadella, Satya Nadella, Nadella, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Biden, Bobby Kotick, Kotick, Diane Bartz, Greg Bensinger, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Microsoft Corporation, . Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, FRANCISCO, Activision, Federal Trade Commission, Nintendo, Sony Group, FTC, PlayStation, Britain's, Markets Authority, Thomson Locations: California, Downtown San Francisco , California, U.S, WASHINGTON, San Francisco, United States, Washington

☆ Microsoft attempts to pick apart US legal argument against deal to buy Activision
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Greg Bensinger | Thomson Reuters | Greg Bensinger Joined Reuters As A Technology Correspondent In Focusing On The World'S Largest Technology Companies. He Was Previously A Member Of The New York Times Editorial Board | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has asked a federal judge to stop the transaction temporarily in order to allow the agency's in-house judge to decide if it can go forward. If the deal goes through, Microsoft has pledged to provide the game to Switch for 10 years. Microsoft attorney Beth Wilkinson pressed Lee in an effort to poke holes in his analysis of the deal, pointing out limitations of his economic modeling. Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley, a federal judge in San Francisco who will decide the case, said little on Tuesday. Reporting by Greg Bensinger in San Francisco Additional reporting by Diane Bartz in Washington Editing by Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Microsoft's, Robin Lee, Lee, Beth Wilkinson, Wilkinson, “, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Greg Bensinger, Diane Bartz, Matthew Lewis Organizations: FRANCISCO, Activision, Harvard, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft, Xbox, FTC, Nintendo, Sony Group, Britain's, Markets Authority, Thomson Locations: Redmond, Washington, San Francisco, United States

☆ Microsoft Says It Could Abandon Activision Deal if Judge Delays It
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Kellen Browning | David Mccabe | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

On Wednesday, it sued Amazon over allegations that the company tricked users into signing up for its Prime subscription service. has had setbacks: Its challenge to Meta’s purchase of a virtual reality start-up fell apart this year after a judge declined to stop the deal from closing. But that court does not have the legal authority to stop the deal. asked the federal court to step in this month, saying it feared Microsoft would try to complete the deal despite the legal challenges. would be a sign that its broader challenge has legs, and could put new pressure on Microsoft and Activision to reconsider the multibillion-dollar corporate marriage.

Persons: Wilkinson, ”, Jim Ryan, Meta, Microsoft’s, Corley’s Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, Nintendo, Nvidia, PlayStation, Sony, Amazon

☆ Factbox: Potential outcomes of FTC legal bids to block Microsoft-Activision deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The first fight will be in federal court in California, beginning on June 22 and running until June 29. Here are four potential outcomes of the California hearing:* Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley may grant the preliminary injunction and the companies terminate. The FTC lost in federal court and dropped the internal FTC challenge. That can be appealed to a federal appeals court. The next stop after that would be a federal appeals court.

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley, Michael Chappell, Lina Khan, Chappell, Khan, Diane Bartz, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, DirecTV, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Meta, Thomson Locations: California, Illumina's, Washington

The private plaintiffs sued Microsoft in California federal court in December to enjoin the deal, which they called harmful to competition. Corley pushed back on the gamers' allegation that Microsoft would limit availability of the game. A lawyer for the gamers said on Monday they will press on with their challenge to the deal despite losing this preliminary round. Corley dismissed the gamers' first lawsuit in March, ruling that plaintiffs had not offered adequate factual support for claims that the deal would violate U.S. antitrust law. The case is DeMartini v. Microsoft Corp, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No.

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