The EU has agreed to Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and the US court has rejected the US Federal Trade Commission's application for a temporary injunction. In addition, Microsoft and the UK Competition and Markets AuthorityReaching an AgreementAfter further discussing acquisition terms acceptable to both parties, Microsoft said it had agreed with Activision Blizzard to postpone the acquisition deadline from the original July 7 to October 18 this year.
Microsoft emphasized that it would buy extra time to resolve remaining regulatory issues, hoping to complete the transaction as soon as possible. Xbox head Phil Spencer said that the transaction is technically possible in the United States and that the additional time limit would be used to resolve potential concerns raised by the UK Competition and Markets Authority.
The agreement between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard stipulates that if Microsoft cancels the deal now, it will have to pay $30 billion in compensation. If it is confirmed after August 8 that the deal cannot be completed, the compensation will increase to $29 billion. If it is confirmed after September 35 that the deal cannot be completed, the compensation will increase to $9 billion.
However, if the transaction is completed before October 10, Microsoft will not have to pay compensation to Activision Blizzard. There are reports that Microsoft may plan to sell its cloud streaming game service in the UK in exchange for the trust of the UK Competition and Markets Authority and obtain approval for the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
