FTC appeals judge’s ruling on Microsoft-Activision deal

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said it is challenging a judge’s approval of Microsoft’s USD 69 billion Activision Blizzard deal. Microsoft vowed to fight back and said the FTC had a weak case. The judge had dismissed the FTC’s claim that the deal would hurt consumers by giving Microsoft exclusive access to popular games like Call of Duty. The FTC could ask the appeals court to halt the deal by Friday. 

Meanwhile, Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority said a revised deal could ease its worries, pending a new probe. 

U.S. legal experts differed on the FTC’s appeal grounds and the merger-blocking standard. Microsoft agreed to share Call of Duty with rivals, including Nintendo, to appease the FTC. 

Appeals are uncommon in U.S. antitrust cases, but the FTC had appealed a loss more than 10 years ago against Whole Foods' purchase of Wild Oats. The agency settled with the companies before the appeals court made a decision. 

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