FTC loses bid to stop Microsoft’s $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition

A federal judge has denied the FTC’s preliminary injunction against Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard ahead of the July 18 deadline.

Because of the decision handed down by California judge Jacqueline Scott Corley, the company can close its $69 billion deal with the Call of Duty maker.

As reported by The Verge, this is contingent upon whether Microsoft is willing to close around the UK as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked the deal back in April. Microsoft has appealed the decision, with a hearing set for July 28. Both parties may go to the negotiating table. In May, the European Commission approved the merger.

This means Microsoft will have access to various Activision Blizzard IPs such as the Call of Duty series, Candy Crush Saga, Crash Bandicoot, Diablo, Guitar Hero, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, Overwatch, Skylanders, Spyro the Dragon, StarCraft, Warcraft, World of Warcraft, and Tony Hawk.

The FTC may appeal the judge’s decision, but as of press time, it has not stated whether it will or not appeal the ruling.

The FTC is still free to pursue its antitrust case against the company.-

Microsoft announced in January 2022 its intent to purchase Activision Blizzard for the huge sum of $69 billion.