Sources say US FTC will try to prevent Microsoft from acquiring Activision Blizzard

Thank you, Mr. Air, a netizen of CTOnews.com, for your clue delivery! CTOnews.com, June 13, according to CNBC, a person familiar with the matter revealed that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will apply for an injunction today in an attempt to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Microsoft announced in January last year that it would buy Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, the largest merger in the gaming industry's history, with a deadline for the deal on July 18.

FTC has filed a lawsuit against the deal, asking its internal administrative judge to hear it. Through this procedure similar to a trial, the judge will make a preliminary decision and then appeal to the Committee of the whole. If Microsoft is not satisfied with the committee's vote, it can also appeal to the federal court. The case will be referred to the Administrative Law Judge in August.

In addition, the British Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also decided to block the deal, and Microsoft plans to appeal it this summer.

Microsoft President Brad Smith said: "We are pleased to have the opportunity to present our case in federal court. We believe that speeding up the legal process in the United States will eventually bring more choice and competition to the market."