Microsoft is ready to do anything to get the European Commission to validate Activision-Blizzard’s acquisition

would things happen more complex than expected Is it for Microsoft? After the announcement of its acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, all seemed to be going well for the Redmond firm. Then, things finally got complicated when other regulators started to take an interest in the issue, especially. European Commission – and that Sony has stepped out of the way of voicing any concerns about the transaction.

The result: Microsoft today finds itself turning a blind eye to the European Commission, whose investigation will result in its decision. April 11, 2023. Before that, the agency will have to publish a list of its reservations about the takeover by January. Microsoft therefore has little time to turn the odds in its favour. According to an insider source, a solution is under development In the offices of the American giant.

Microsoft to covet the European Commission and Sony

After repeatedly reaffirming to competition police that Sony would not be harmed by its takeover of Activision-Blizzard, Microsoft should soon return to blame with another offer. As Reuters explains, the Redmond firm is preparing to bid. a 10-year non-exclusive contract To Sony before the European Commission. Those who follow the event closely will not be surprised.

As a matter of fact, we informed you last week that Microsoft offered such a partnership to Sony for the Call of Duty license on the basis of the dispute between the two companies. Redmond can therefore try anything for anything formalizing it with regulatory authoritiesas a sign of goodwill – and to speed up the verification process.

“Such a move can get early authorization from the European Commission and then be used by the parties to other antitrust bodies.”, commented Stéphane Dionnet, attorney for McDermott Will & Emery. Again, Microsoft is not at the end of the sentences. For several days now, there has been a rumor that the American regulator FTC has filed a complaint against the company that could block the takeover entirely.

Source : Reuters