Category: Microsoft – Activision Blizzard
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First anniversary of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard: gamers’ material benefits vs. FTC’s imaginary harm
Contrary to what some regulators feared, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, which was consummated one year ago to the day, has actually resulted in more consumer choice.
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Microsoft responds to FTC letter: Game Pass price changes don’t support theories of harm in Activision Blizzard merger case
Context: The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held its FTC v. Microsoft & Activision Blizzard hearing (the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) appealed a district court’s July 2023 denial of a preliminary injunction against the transaction) in early December. Since then, 7 1/2 months have gone by without a decision, a fact…
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Microsoft to appeals court: Activision Blizzard was planning significant job cuts even as independent company
Context: Yesterday (February 7, 2024), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a letter with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, arguing that a recent announcement of 1,900 job cuts at Activision Blizzard strengthened its case for an injunction. The FTC said that it would become difficult to spin off ABK in…
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FTC wants to limit Microsoft’s time to ask Sony questions to 1.5 hours (not 3.5), same with Ubisoft, but wants 4 hours (not 3.5) for itself
The FTC notes that Microsoft’s motion to reopen discovery
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Microsoft makes new push to quiz (and impeach) Sony on 10-year Call of Duty deal and to join Ubisoft’s deposition: FTC/ABK
As predicted by games fray, Microsoft’s lawyers filed a motion on Tuesday to reopen discovery in the FTC’s in-house proceedings concerning the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. They wish to join the depositions of Sony (February 8) and Ubisoft (possibly January 31).
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FTC judge puts procedure over substance as he denies Microsoft further discovery of Sony’s stance on 10-year CoD deal
The FTC’s in-house judge denied a motion by Microsoft to require Sony to come clean on how the PlayStation maker really views the 10-year Call of Duty deal it signed in July.
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FTC, Sony supporting each other like it’s 2023: can’t turn page on ABK, and judge curbs FTC’s fishing expedition
Newly released documents from the FTC’s in-house litigation over Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard reflect a public-private partnership between the U.S. antitrust agency and the Japanese console maker.
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Sony supporting FTC’s ultra-long shot to undo ABK deal
Instead of mending fences with Microsoft, Sony is still opposing the already-consummated acquisition of Activision Blizzard King. A Microsoft filing indicates Sony is trying to support the FTC’s continuing litigation over the acquisition.