Microsoft‘s deal to acquire Activision Blizzard, which has been facing several hurdles, may soon have to see another challenge. As per media reports, the European Union is likely to issue an antitrust warning to the Windows maker about its $69 billion bid to buy the “Call of Duty” maker video game company.
The US software giant and Xbox maker announced the acquisition of Blizzard in January last year to compete better with industry leaders Tencent and Sony. Regulators in the US and the UK have voiced concerns over the deal, with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approaching the court to block the deal. The European Union has set an April deadline for its decision on the deal.
The US software giant and Xbox maker announced the acquisition of Blizzard in January last year to compete better with industry leaders Tencent and Sony. Regulators in the US and the UK have voiced concerns over the deal, with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approaching the court to block the deal. The European Union has set an April deadline for its decision on the deal.
EU’s ‘statement of objections’
The European Commission is readying a charge sheet, known as a statement of objections, setting out its concerns about the deal. The statement of objections will be sent to Microsoft in the coming weeks, news agency Reuters quoted people familiar with the matter as saying.
Microsoft was expected to offer remedies to EU regulators in an attempt to avert a statement of charge and shorten the regulatory process, other sources familiar with the matter said in November. The commission is reportedly not expected to be open to remedies without first sending out its charge sheet. There may be some concessions.
Here’s what Microsoft has to say
Microsoft says that it is working with the regulators to address any concerns. “We’re continuing to work with the European Commission to address any marketplace concerns. Our goal is to bring more games to more people, and this deal will further that goal,” Microsoft was quoted as saying.
Last month, Microsoft reached a 10-year deal with Nintendo to make “Call of Duty” available on Nintendo consoles, saying it was open to a similar agreement with Sony, which is critical of the acquisition. Sony is yet to officially respond to the Xbox maker’s 10-year deal offer.
Microsoft’s deal has received the green light without conditions in Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Serbia.
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