Microsoft last week filed an appeal against the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) decision to block its $69 billion deal with Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard. The company has now filed a skeleton argument with the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) arguing the CMA analysis of the merger.
Microsoft argues that the CMA’s analysis makes “fundamental errors,” and it seeks to rely on four expert witnesses to push for a judicial review.
According to a report in The Verge, Microsoft said that the CMA failed to consider the potential for switching between cloud gaming and native gaming, and the regulator has not correctly defined the cloud gaming market.
Microsoft identified five grounds of appeal and alleges that the CMA has made four errors in its findings related to the company’s withholding access to Activision games from rivals.
It also accused Britain’s anti-trust regulator of being a global “outlier” in blocking the deal.
Key dates in deal
Microsoft Activision Blizzard acquisition case hearing will be in the week of July 24-July 31. Microsoft pushed for a four-day hearing in the week starting July 17.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will commence an evidentiary hearing on August 2. New Zealand’s decision deadline is slated for June 9.
South Korea approves deal
South Korea became the latest company to approve Microsoft Activision deal. The South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission gave a green signal making it the 38th country to support the deal. China also approved the merger on May 22.
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The European Union was among 10 regulators who approved the deal earlier this month. The EU regulator said that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard has “significant procompetitive effects.”
“Our mission is to accompany that transition, one merger at a time. It is to find solutions that keep the game fair for all players, and work closely together with sister agencies as we do so. That is our Call of Duty,” EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said.
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