Microsoft has already approved about 40 countries to buy Activision Blizzard, and only the United Kingdom, through the channels of the CMA, has outright denied it. While the US FTC doesn’t seem happy with this takeover, the legal process in the US is pretty easy to deal with.
Now, the decision to buy in the UK is in the hands of the CAT, which must decide by the end of next month whether the CMA is right or wrong. However, don’t think Microsoft will be empty-handed until then.
The Microsoft chief will meet the UK prime minister next week to discuss the Activision Blizzard deal. Jeremy Hunt was the top government official who said the regulators were independent. But they should be aware of the considerations Development and investment.
According to Bloomberg, the Microsoft chief will also meet with CMA officials. Apparently, Microsoft might be ready to kick Activision out of the UK if they don’t approve.
According to the Bloomberg article, the government does not direct the agency, but rather its leadership Department of Commerce. The CMA’s independence is not absolute, and Microsoft will try to overturn the veto by talking to the body’s superiors.
Bloomberg also recalls the MLex article, and mentions the possibility Close ABK deal without CMA. Microsoft seems determined to use all its “weapons”.
