Following yesterday’s decision by a judge to throw out the FTC’s attempt at an injunction to block the Microsoft Activision Blizzard acquisition from going through, the FTC has filed an appeal.
As reported yesterday, Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley’s ruling denied the FTC request for a preliminary injunction. This decision was made because the judge felt that the FTC had failed to prove that the acquisition would significantly harm competition.
However, the FTC did not take this lying down and has already filed an appeal to challenge the judge’s verdict. As things stand now, if the appeal can be successful, the FTC will receive what they initially set out for, an injunction preventing the acquisition.
Alongside the announcement of the FTC appeal, spokespersons for both Microsoft and Activision have expressed their disappointment but remain hopeful:
“We’re confident the U.S. will remain among the 39 countries where the merger can close. We’re disappointed that the FTC is continuing to pursue what has become a demonstrably weak case, and we will oppose further efforts to delay the ability to move forward.” – Brad Smith, Microsoft president.
While this ongoing case with the FTC is a hurdle for Microsoft, it’s not the only one. Microsoft is also currently negotiating with the U.K., which had previously locked the Microsoft Activision Blizzard acquisition.
These negotiations focus on what Microsoft can do to appease the demands of the U.K.’s Competitions and Markets Authority.