April 20, 2025

Brighton Journal

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Xbox’s Big Activision Blizzard FTC Kicks Off: What You Need to Know and Our Coverage So Far

Xbox’s Big Activision Blizzard FTC Kicks Off: What You Need to Know and Our Coverage So Far

It’s a trying time for Microsoft and the Xbox brand, as the company’s leaders head to federal court this week to defend their proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard against the United States Federal Trade Commission.

The legal battle between Microsoft and the Federal Trade Commission began last December, when the agency announced her plans to block Microsoft’s massive $68.7 billion purchase. Last week, a California federal court filed a A temporary restraining order requested by the Federal Trade Commission Which is basically blocking the Microsoft and Activision Blizzard deal right now.

This week’s trial will see the FTC attempt to force a preliminary injunction against Microsoft and Activision Blizzard. If successful, it means that Microsoft and Activision Blizzard cannot complete the acquisition while the FTC reviews the deal for compliance with US antitrust law.

The initial injunction will have a significant impact and potentially dealbreaker on Microsoft and Activision Blizzard’s plans, as the deal must close by July 18, 2023, or the parties will need to renegotiate. The evidentiary hearing between Microsoft/Activision Blizzard and the FTC It is scheduled for August 2which falls after the deadline next month.