What you need to know
- A new report suggests that Microsoft plans to close its Activision Blizzard King acquisition deal despite the FTC's lawsuit against the merger.
- Sources say approval from the Competition and Market Authority is expected later this week, with Microsoft hoping for the European Commission to greenlight the deal in May.
- With both the CMA and EU supporting Microsoft, sources say it would be difficult for the FTC to successfully block the deal.
- The FTC would have to file for an injunction with US Federal courts, but experts say getting that outcome is "far from a sure thing."
- It could also discuss concessions with Microsoft or continue pursuing its case after the deal's deadline in internal courts, though one antitrust source says this could take over a year.
- Update, (April 4, 2023): The UK regulator just blocked Microsoft's Activision deal, which will make it incredibly difficult for the deal to go ahead.
