Microsoft is searching for options to complete the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, in spite of the CMA’s block (Competition and Markets Authority) in the UK. Up until now, different countries have already given approval for the deal, with only the CMA and de FTC (Federal Trade Commission) in the United States remaining as oppositionists in the case.
According to a report from MLex Market Insight, Microsoft is analyzing different possibilities. It is important to take into consideration that both companies might be racing to finish the purchase and protect their effects in the stoke market, regardless of the adjustments they could potentially make to their agreement due to the negative answer they have received from the United Kingdom and the United States.
The report states that Microsoft might be thinking about not having a direct presence in the British Islands with Activision Blizzard. As a result, its video games will have to be distributed by a third party in this region. Consequently, laws point out that Activision itself must make the decision to leave the country and find another one to settle in.
(FYI) Microsoft executives are actively looking at ways to close the acquisition despite a UK veto on the deal, MLex has learned.
It sounds like MS is ready to close this no matter what.
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— Idle Sloth💙💛 (@IdleSloth84_) June 1, 2023
Another option Microsoft has might be to extend the remedies given and approved by the European Commission, and if this were to happen, the deal would be unilaterally approved in the UK. This would legally close out the acquisition and the merger would begin for both companies. In the case the CMA opposes, the agreement would have already been accepted in Europe and Microsoft would have no limitations.
