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Microsoft / Activision Deal Approval Watch |OT| (MS/ABK close)

Do you believe the deal will be approved?


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Hilarious the CMA feel the need to reply to the press coverage, the pressure is showing with this and their defensive statement when the EU approved.

Well according to you it means they haven't changed their stance. It would be a different story if they reversed their decision.
 

jm89

Member
Hilarious the CMA feel the need to reply to the press coverage, the pressure is showing with this and their defensive statement when the EU approved.
laughing-haha.gif
 

Sony

Nintendo
"Microsoft's plan for continuing regulation". CMA emphasizing that they are not going to babysit Microsoft for 10 years.

They don't have to. Microsoft pays a third party to monitor behavioral remedies in the LinkedIN purchase, and that third party is selected by the regulator. If regulation works, CMA should allow it. In this case, CMA says it doesn't want it, but it doesn't explain properly why it wouldn't be effective. CMA's job is to asess effectivity, not to choose the most convenient options.
 

Topher

Gold Member
They don't have to. Microsoft pays a third party to monitor behavioral remedies in the LinkedIN purchase, and that third party is selected by the regulator. If regulation works, CMA should allow it. In this case, CMA says it doesn't want it, but it doesn't explain properly why it wouldn't be effective. CMA's job is to asess effectivity, not to choose the most convenient options.

No, the CMA's job is ensure competition isn't significantly reduced. And the remedy you are citing with monitors for linkedin was approved by the EC. Obviously, the CMA's current leadership is not impressed with punting their responsibilities to third parties and they shouldn't be.
 
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Kilau

Gold Member
This gets repeated a lot but is there actually any truth to it? MS are currently being fined by the FTC so one would presume MS would easily overturn it if FTC are that weak right?
There is reason to think the FTC will lose this.

 

Topher

Gold Member
Idas

The Business and Trade Select Committee has published a letter from the CMA about the inquiry on May 16th.

Among other things (the letter is 4 pages long) it says that the CMA hold 26 meetings and exchanged 74 e-mails with the FTC between the start of Phase 2 and the publication of the final report.

here is the link


The letter also makes it clear that there were waivers in place from Microsoft and ABK that dictates what could be discussed.

"As part of the CMA’s investigation of Microsoft’s anticipated acquisition of Activision, there was engagement with numerous overseas competition authorities. The CMA had waivers in place from the merging parties, as well as some third parties, in relation to several overseas authorities, including the FTC and the European Commission. This enabled the CMA to share certain information with those authorities more freely. One difficulty which the CMA can face in cases such as this, and indeed did face in this case in relation to the FTC in the latter stages of the investigation, is that these waivers can be withdrawn, which – while not preventing engagement with counterparts – can limit the extent to which the CMA can exchange certain information, unless other gateways for information exchange are available. "
 
and Who says that you cant buy people with gamepass.

This years saga has been down right funny, compared to last year.

CMA block messed up alot of people.
The xbox fans thought that they were made in heaven after Phil Spender was using other people's money but got done dirty by dirty deeds done dirt cheap by the lords of the UK. That broke them more than realizing bleach was 90% filler.
 

PaintTinJr

Member
FTC doesnt have the same power as the cma. So they must fight this case in the court. And considering FTC track, its not a good look.
That's specific to the federal court process isn't it?

I thought in their own process they have a very high success rate - but federal court has now ruled that they can't just prosecute with their internal process.

Which brings me to a question about the US system with the FTC for this merger:

If the UK CMA merger appeal fails on the 18th of July due to ATVI failing to extend the deal, does that mean the need for an FTC injunction in a federal court is no longer required by the FTC to sue Microsoft over the illegal merger - after it has collapsed ? effectively clearing the way for the FTC to conduct the whole process in their own court, find against Microsoft and then potentially fine them tens of billions, of dollars without Microsoft having the same 50:50 chance in a Federal court to over turn that decision - like they would if say an injunction was filed today?
 
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feynoob

Banned
That's specific to the federal court process isn't it?

I thought in their own process they have a very high success rate - but federal court has now ruled that they can't just prosecute with their internal process.

Which brings me to a question about the US system with the FTC for this merger:

If the UK CMA merger appeal fails on the 18th of July due to ATVI failing to extend the deal, does that mean the need for an FTC injunction in a federal court is no longer required by the FTC to sue Microsoft over the illegal merger - after it has collapsed ? effectively clearing the way for the FTC to conduct the whole process in their own court, find against Microsoft and then fine them tens of billions, of dollars without Microsoft having the same 50:50 chance in a Federal court to over turn that decision - like the would if say an injunction was filed today?
The deal cant get closed without cma approval currently. And if both parties cant renew the deal, then that means the merger falls through and wont proceed, as both parties arent going to merge.

As for ftc, they can only sue to block. I think its the DOJ that approves it. Both agency work together. But if FTC sues to block, that means they need to win their case.
In this case, if both party dont renew, then the deal is off. FTC gets a win. If both party renew, then the ftc will need to win their case.

But its all depend on CMA decision.
 
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