- Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley has denied the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction on Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition.
- Microsoft can now close its deal before the July 18 deadline.
- Microsoft and the UK Competition and Markets Authority have agreed to pause litigation to further negotiate.
- The FTC has now filed an appeal to Judge Corley’s ruling.
Update, July 12, 2023 (8:00 PM ET): The FTC has filed a notice that it will appeal Tuesday’s ruling that cleared the way for Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The regulator will need the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to issue an emergency stay to extend the existing temporary restraining order preventing Microsoft from closing the deal, which is set to expire at 11:59 PM PT on July 14th. The CMA also released a statement on Wednesday warning that any restructuring to Microsoft’s deal could lead to a new merger investigation, and talks between it and Microsoft are still in the early stages.
Original, July 11, 2023 (1:51 PM ET): After a week of testimony, Microsoft just got its biggest win of the year. Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley has sided with the tech giant and is allowing Microsoft to close its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.