Subj : Microsofts appeal against UK governments block on Activision Bliz To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Wed May 31 2023 12:45:03 Microsofts appeal against UK governments block on Activision Blizzard acquisition to begin in July Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 11:25:56 +0000 Description: Microsoft has made good on its promise to appeal the UK governments decision to block its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Microsofts appeal of a UK government watchdogs decision to block its desired acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been scheduled in court. Judge Marcus Smith scheduled the hearings on Microsofts controversial acquisition plans for late July this year ( via Video Games Chronicle ). The acquisition was blocked back in April by the UKs Competition and Market Authority (CMA) on the grounds that it would allow Microsoft to build a cloud gaming monopoly. Activision Blizzard spokesperson Joe Christinat weighed in in a statement given to TRG, claiming that the CMAs decision ignores the facts, the law, and all commercial reality. Were looking forward to working with Microsoft to get this deeply flawed decision reversed. In its analysis of the video game industry, the CMA found that Microsofts purchase of Activision would alter the future of the fast-growing cloud gaming market, leading to reduced innovation and less choice for UK gamers over the years to come. In order to have appeal hearings scheduled in the first place, Microsoft filed an application for review of the CMAs decision a necessary step under UK law. The application contests the CMAs findings on five separate grounds, but broadly boils down to arguing that the UK watchdog has overestimated Microsofts influence on the cloud market while underestimating the impact of Microsofts proposed remedial action In addition to its ongoing legal struggles in the UK, Microsoft has also fallen under the scrutiny of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of the United States which filed a suit against the tech giant following concerns that its proposed acquisition would breach US anti-trust laws. That being said, the EUs regulatory body along with the Chinese government , have both approved the merger, subject to certain caveats. Though neither decision is likely to directly affect the outcome of Microsofts UK appeal, it is possible that the caveats and concessions offered by Microsoft, especially in the case of the EU, might act as a model for new sets of safeguards that they might offer to the CMA by way of a concession. Xbox VP's goal to bring Activision Blizzard into a culture of diversity is an uphill battle ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/microsofts-appeal-against-uk-governments-block- on-activision-blizzard-acquisition-to-begin-in-july --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .