Microsoft serves Sony a subpoena in preparation for impending FTC lawsuit

techradar.com:

In a high-stakes legal move, Microsoft has served Sony Interactive Entertainment with a subpoena as it prepares to defend itself in an impending antitrust lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). 

For those not in the know, Microsoft is expecting to fight an imminent legal battle with the US government’s Federal Trade Commission on the grounds that its acquisition of Activision Blizzard would “suppress competitors” to an unlawful extent. A recent court filing, shared by Axios’ Stephen Totilo on Twitter(opens in new tab), has revealed that Microsoft has now subpoenaed Sony in an effort to build a sturdy legal case to defend its interests. 

A subpoena is a legal writ ordering an individual or corporation to either attend a court hearing or produce documentation in advance of that hearing. According to the court filing, Microsoft wants Sony to offer up details of PlayStation’s game production pipeline to help strengthen its case. 

Suffice it to say, this kind of information is the sort of thing that Sony, most likely, would prefer to keep close to its chest. At the time of writing, Sony has until January 27 to respond to the subpoena. It could well opt to move to limit or quash the order in court, but whether or not this strategy will play out for the company remains to be seen.   

In December 2022, the FTC announced its intention to sue Microsoft in an effort to prevent its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Sony previously expressed concern(opens in new tab) that the acquisition aims to make PlayStation a “less close and effective competitor to Xbox” by allowing Microsoft to be the “one-stop-shop for all the best-selling shooter franchises on console… [setting it] free from serious competitive pressure”.

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