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 by the July 18 deadline.

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

As reported by the edge, this depends on whether Microsoft is willing to go out of business in the UK, as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked the deal in April. Microsoft has appealed the decision, with a hearing set for July 28. Both parties can go to the negotiating table. In May, the European Commission approved the merger.

This means that Microsoft will have access to various Activision Blizzard IPs such as 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 can appeal the judge’s decision, but as of press time, it has not stated whether or not it will appeal the ruling.

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

Microsoft announced in January 2022 its intention to buy Activision Blizzard for a whopping $69 billion.