US judge approved the FTC’s temporary halt on Microsoft’s (MS) acquisition of Activision Blizzard (ATVI). As a result, US District Judge Edward Davila scheduled a two-day hearing on June 22~23 to assess the evidence related to the case.

The FTC, which plays a crucial role in enforcing antitrust laws, initiated an action to block the deal last December. The scheduled evidential hearing in the administrative proceeding is expected to start on 2nd August. In the meantime, MS and ATVI have been instructed to submit legal arguments to a preliminary injunction by 16th June, with the FTC slated to respond on 20th June.

This temporary restraining order is set to maintain the status in which, ensuring that the court can enforce potential relief and the FTC can seek a permanent remedy if successful in its administrative proceeding.

The ban on closing the deal will stay in place for more than five days after the court decides on the preliminary injunction request. The FTC’s concern is that the acquisition could potentially give MS’s Xbox exclusive access to ATVI products to the detriment of competitors such as Nintendo and Sony’s PlayStation. The case highlights the stringent antitrust enforcement policy under the Biden administration.

정한선 강남포스트 학생기자  webmaster@ignnews.kr

<저작권자 © 강남포스트, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>