The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today announced its decision to extend the review period for Microsoft’s deal with Activision Blizzard to August 29 after receiving new bids from the Redmond-based company. reported Reuters agency.
Image source: activisionblizzard.com
According to Bloomberg sources, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard could partially relinquish control of the UK cloud gaming business to allay regulators’ concerns about reduced competition in the cloud gaming industry. The CMA was the first major regulator to block a deal between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard. This happened in April when the agency released a final report citing significant flaws in the terms of the contract.
In announcing a new deadline, the CMA pledged to make a decision as soon as possible, and in any case earlier than planned.
Meanwhile, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) continued to block the deal this week. On Thursday, the FTC filed an emergency motion with the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit with a request “temporary break” upon completion of the proposed transaction and proposed to US District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley to defer the decision pending the Court of Appeals verdict. However, the judge rejected the application, so that nothing stands in the way of completing the transaction before the deadline (July 18).
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