{"id":523569,"date":"2022-12-08T22:38:31","date_gmt":"2022-12-08T19:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/ftc-votes-to-block-microsofts-69b-activision-acquisition\/"},"modified":"2022-12-08T22:38:31","modified_gmt":"2022-12-08T19:38:31","slug":"ftc-votes-to-block-microsofts-69b-activision-acquisition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/ftc-votes-to-block-microsofts-69b-activision-acquisition\/","title":{"rendered":"#FTC votes to block Microsoft&#8217;s $69B Activision acquisition"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a24329a72399\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a24329a72399\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/ftc-votes-to-block-microsofts-69b-activision-acquisition\/#%E2%80%9CFTC_votes_to_block_Microsofts_69B_Activision_acquisition%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;FTC votes to block Microsoft&#8217;s $69B Activision acquisition&#8221;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CFTC_votes_to_block_Microsofts_69B_Activision_acquisition%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;FTC votes to block Microsoft&#8217;s $69B Activision acquisition&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n        <\/aside>\n<p>The Federal Trade Commission has sued to block Microsoft\u2019s $69 billion deal to buy Activision Blizzard, claiming that the mega-deal would stifle competition in the lucrative video-<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a> industry, sources told The Post.<\/p>\n<p>The aggressive clampdown under FTC Chair Lina Khan \u2014 a 33-year-old legal prodigy who has vowed to crack down on Big Tech \u2014 is coming despite a last-ditch effort on Wednesday by Microsoft president Brad Smith to curry favor with the panel\u2019s Democratic commissioners, as first reported earlier this week by The Post.<\/p>\n<p>The panel voted 3 to 1 in favor of the blockbuster lawsuit, which promises to become a centerpiece of Khan\u2019s pledge to counter consolidation in Silicon Valley. In a Thursday statement, the FTC\u2019s Bureau of Competition Holly Vedova claimed that Microsoft had an iffy track record when it comes to competition concerns.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMicrosoft has already shown that it can and will withhold content from its gaming rivals,\u201d Vedova said in a statement. \u201cToday we seek to stop Microsoft from gaining control over a leading independent game studio and using it to harm competition in multiple dynamic and fast-growing gaming markets.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In a Thursday statement, Microsoft \u2018s Smith signaled that the company plans to defend its mega-merger in court, insisting that it \u201cwill expand competition and create more opportunities for gamers and game developers.\u201d <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/lina-khan-05.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Lina Khan, chair of the Federal Trade Commission \" class=\"wp-image-24944549\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/lina-khan-05.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/lina-khan-05.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/lina-khan-05.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>At an FTC meeting Thursday, Khan got the three votes needed to authorize a suit.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Bloomberg via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWe have been committed since day one to addressing competition concerns, including by offering earlier this week proposed concessions to the FTC,\u201d Smith said in a statement. \u201cWhile we believed in giving peace a chance, we have complete confidence in our case and welcome the opportunity to present our case in court.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Smith had argued that Microsoft\u2019s deal \u2014 which would pair the tech giant\u2019s Xbox consoles with Activision\u2019s catalogue of blockbuster titles that include \u201cCall of Duty\u201d and \u201cWorld of Warcraft\u201d \u2014 would still leave it the No. 3 player in video games behind Sony and Nintendo. <\/p>\n<p>Smith this week publicly offered a 10-year license agreement to Sony allowing its PlayStation to sell \u201cCall of Duty\u201d and receive new games at the same time as Microsoft\u2019s Xbox customers. He also announced he had reached a 10-year agreement with Nintendo to offer the games on its consoles and its current-generation hardware Switch.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/microsoft-call-of-duty.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Activision's &quot;Call of Duty&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-24944498\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/microsoft-call-of-duty.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/microsoft-call-of-duty.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/microsoft-call-of-duty.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Activision\u2019s \u201cCall of Duty\u201d<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Sony shot back on Thursday, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gameluster.com\/sony-responds-to-microsoft-thinks-nintendo-switch-could-never-run-call-of-duty\/\">blasting a proposed concession from Microsoft<\/a> for a 10-year licensing deal for \u201cCall of Duty\u201d on Sony Playstations \u201cmisleading,\u201d adding that it didn\u2019t believe \u201cCall of Duty\u201d would run on Nintendo\u2019s Switch console.<\/p>\n<p>A key sticking point is Microsoft\u2019s Xbox \u201cGame Pass\u201d sub<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">script<\/a>ion service, which gives customers access to many different games, Richard Hoeg, business lawyer and host of the Virtual Legality podcast, told The Post. Adding Activision\u2019s formidable catalog to Game Pass is seen as a massive competitive threat by Sony and Activision, according to Hoeg.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGame Pass is a different business model,\u201d Hoeg said. \u201cGame Pass is its own market.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At an FTC meeting Thursday, Khan got the three votes needed to authorize a suit even though Democratic Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter earlier seemed receptive to Microsoft\u2019s settlement offer, sources said. Slaughter in the end followed Khan in voting to sue, along with the other Democratic Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya. The one Republican Commissioner, Christine Wilson, has said she supports the merger.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/brad-smith-07-2.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Brad Smith, president of Microsoft\" class=\"wp-image-24944573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/brad-smith-07-2.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/brad-smith-07-2.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/brad-smith-07-2.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Microsoft President Smith had argued that Microsoft\u2019s deal would still leave it the No. 3 player in video games behind Sony and Nintendo.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Bloomberg via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Slaughter on Wednesday had asked Microsoft\u2019s Smith questions and was engaged at their meeting, a source said. But in the end Smith could not convince her to go against the agency\u2019s boss.<\/p>\n<p>There was also some hope that Microsoft as a big donor to the Democratic party could use its political influence to persuade at least one of the three Democratic commissioners to approve the merger.<\/p>\n<p>That wasn\u2019t enough in the end for Khan and the commissioners who have shown a reluctance to approve mergers with behavorial remedies, those that require responsible behavior post-merger.<\/p>\n<p>Khan also has been a tough tech enforcer and is presently in court suing <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a> owner Meta to stop its $400 million acquisition of Within, a virtual-reality company that Mark Zuckerberg\u2019s  is looking to boost its development of the metaverse.<\/p>\n<p>Now the FTC will take the case to court in the likely event that Microsoft will appeal the ruling. Some legal experts believe Microsoft has a winnable case. However, Microsoft now has to not only win this case, but also get deal approved by the European Union and British Competition and Market Authority who now are more likely to follow the FTC\u2019s lead.<\/p>\n<p>If it cannot close the deal, Microsoft would owe Activision a $3 billion termination fee.\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2022\/12\/08\/ftc-votes-to-block-microsofts-69b-activision-acquisition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;FTC votes to block Microsoft&#8217;s $69B Activision acquisition&#8221; The Federal Trade Commission has sued to block Microsoft\u2019s $69 billion deal to buy Activision Blizzard, claiming that the mega-deal would stifle competition in the lucrative video-game industry, sources told The Post. The aggressive clampdown under FTC Chair Lina Khan \u2014 a 33-year-old legal prodigy who has&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":523570,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/microsoft-call-of-duty.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[136931,5037,74382,70584,70286],"class_list":["post-523569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-12-8-22","tag-activision-blizzard","tag-federal-trade-commission","tag-mergers-acquisitions","tag-microsoft"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523569","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=523569"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523569\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/523570"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=523569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=523569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=523569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}