UK regulators probe Microsoft's $68.7 billion deal with Activision


 In this image dated January 18, 2022, the Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone on top of the Activision Blizzard logo displayed. Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration.


July 6 (Reuters) - U.K. antitrust regulators said on Wednesday they were opening up a bid by Microsoft (MSFT.O) to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard (ATVI.O) for $68.7 billion investigation.


Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had until September 1 to make a first-stage decision on whether a deal between the US tech firm and video game maker Activision would reduce competition in the UK.


Lisa Tanzi, Microsoft's corporate vice president and general counsel, said in an interview with Reuters: \"We are committed to answering the questions raised by regulators and ultimately believe that a thorough scrutiny will help close the deal with broad confidence and have an impact on competition. Positive impact.\" emailed statement.


\"We anticipate and believe it is appropriate for regulators to review this acquisition,\" Tanzi said.


Activision did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


In January, Microsoft announced it would acquire Activision Blizzard, the largest deal in the history of the gaming industry. The deal between Microsoft and Activision would be the largest cash acquisition ever, according to Refinitiv data.


The CMA's Phase 1 investigation will lead to either approval of the deal or a more in-depth Phase 2 review.


💌 Resources and references: reuters.com 🔊 UK regulators are investigating Microsoft’s $68.7 billion deal with Activision.


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