Microsoft files appeal against UK block of Activision deal
Tech and games giant Microsoft has filed an appeal to overturn the UK's Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) decision to block its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
In a statement to the BBC, the Xbox giant said that the global majority decision on the deal was positive and that the UK's verdict was an outlier.
"China's unconditional clearance of our acquisition of Activision Blizzard follows clearance decisions from jurisdictions such as the European Union and Japan, bringing the total to 37 countries representing more than two billion people," a Microsoft spokesperson emailed in a statement.
"The acquisition combined with our recent commitments to the European Commission will empower consumers worldwide to play more games on more devices."
The CMA has had to defend its decision from UK MPs, with chief executive Sarah Cardell saying that if the deal was approved, it "would allow Microsoft to set the terms and conditions for this market for the next 10 years."
The deal was recently approved by Japan, China and the European Commission. The only jurisdictions holding out are the United Kingdom and the US, where the Federal Trade Commission has sued to block the acquisition.
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