Originally scheduled to expire today, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are negotiating to extend the acquisition agreement.

CTOnews.com, July 18 (Reuters)-Microsoft is in talks with Activision Blizzard about an extended acquisition agreement, which was scheduled to expire on Tuesday, so the two sides have a chance to overcome remaining regulatory hurdles to reach a deal.

The two sides are trying to overcome the remaining regulatory hurdles to complete a deal worth $69 billion (CTOnews.com Note: currently about 493.35 billion yuan). If the two sides fail to reach an agreement by the end of Tuesday, the two companies will continue negotiations, according to people familiar with the matter.

Of course, the expiration of the agreement will not automatically lead to the collapse of the transaction, it just gives both companies the right to withdraw from the transaction. Still, Microsoft has been seeking to extend the contract to ensure Activision Blizzard is not attracted or changed its mind by other potential acquirers, the person familiar with the matter said.

If the contract can be extended, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard will have more time to find regulatory solutions in the UK.

At present, the UK is the only major market region opposed to the deal, while Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are discussing possible remedies with the Competition and Market Authority in the hope that this will allay their antitrust concerns.