Xbox Wins FTC Ruling and Prime Day Begins
1In a major victory for Microsoft, a federal judge has ruled in favor of the company, denying the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction to block the $69 billion deal to acquire Activision Blizzard. The ruling means that the deal can now move forward, pending further review by the FTC.
The FTC had argued that the deal would give Microsoft too much power in the video game industry and that it would stifle competition. However, the judge found that the FTC had not presented enough evidence to support its claims.
Microsoft president Brad Smith said that the company was “grateful” to the court for its decision. “This is a great day for Microsoft and our gaming fans,” he said. “We are excited to welcome the talented people of Activision Blizzard to our family and to continue to create the best games for our players.”
The ruling is a major victory for Microsoft, and it is likely to have a significant impact on the video game industry. It remains to be seen whether the FTC will appeal the ruling, but for now, it appears that the deal to acquire Activision Blizzard is on track to close.
What to Watch for Next
The FTC has not yet said whether it will appeal the ruling. If it does, the case could go to the Supreme Court.
In the meantime, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard will need to continue to work on getting the deal approved by other regulators, such as the CMA in the UK.
It is also worth watching to see how the deal affects the video game industry. Will other publishers try to acquire their own major studios? Will Microsoft use its new size and power to make it more difficult for other publishers to compete?
Only time will tell what the long-term impact of the deal will be. But for now, it is a major victory for Microsoft and a significant development in the video game industry.
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