FTC loses last-ditch shot at appealing Microsoft Activision Blizzard case, clearing the way for the deal to close in the US
Update: The United States' 9th circuit has denied the Federal Trade Commission's request for injunctive relief in the Microsoft Activision Blizzard case, clearing the way for the latter's deal to close in the US in the coming days.
After Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley, who earlier ruled against the FTC in its bid to file a preliminary injunction against Microsoft's bid to purchase Activision Blizzard, denied the FTC's appeal, a US court has deliver another unequivocal loss to the US federal body. Microsoft is now free to close its Activision buyout once Corley's temporary restraining order expires at 11:59pm PT tonight, after which the company will have until July 18 to do so.
Original story follows...
The Federal Trade Commission has had its appeal over the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard denied by a court.
As reported by Reuters earlier today on July 14, the FTC has had its appeal to halt the acquisition denied. In fact, it's none other than Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley, the same judge who originally ruled against the FTC in its bid to stop the Activision Blizzard acquisition, who's denied this new appeal from the FTC.
"The FTC asks this Court to enjoin the merger at issue pending resolution of the FTC’s appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The motion is denied," Judge Corley wrote in her verdict. It turns out Call of Duty played a major factor in the judge refusing to hear the FTC's appeal in the case.
"Microsoft's acquisition of Activision has been described as the largest in tech history. It deserves scrutiny. That scrutiny has paid off: Microsoft has committed in writing, in public, and in court to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation for 10 years on parity with Xbox. It made an agreement with
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