### Microsoft Triumphs in Legal Battle Over $69 Billion Activision Blizzard Acquisition Microsoft has successfully navigated a significant legal challenge from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the company behind the popular "Call of Duty" franchise. A federal appeals court ruled in favor of Microsoft, dismissing the FTC's appeal against the acquisition, which had been completed in late 2023. This ruling marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing scrutiny of large tech mergers and acquisitions, particularly in the gaming industry, where concerns about market competition and consumer choice have been prevalent. ### Breakdown of the Legal Proceedings and Outcomes 1. **Initial Acquisition and Legal Challenges**: - Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in late 2023, despite facing an initial injunction from the FTC aimed at blocking the deal due to antitrust concerns [https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/ftc-loses-appeal-to-break-up-microsoft-activision-merger]. 2. **FTC's Appeal**: - Following the completion of the acquisition, the FTC filed an appeal against the court's decision that allowed the merger to proceed, arguing that it would harm competition in the gaming market [https://www.theverge.com/news/662883/ftc-appeal-microsoft-activision-deal-acquisition]. 3. **Court's Ruling**: - On May 7, 2025, a federal appeals court ruled against the FTC, affirming the legality of Microsoft's acquisition and effectively ending the FTC's attempts to challenge the deal [https://www.reuters.com/legal/microsoft-wins-ftc-appeal-challenging-69-bln-activision-blizzard-deal-2025-05-07]. 4. **Implications for the Gaming Industry**: - The ruling is seen as a significant victory for Microsoft and could set a precedent for future tech acquisitions, as it underscores the challenges regulatory bodies face in blocking large mergers in the tech sector [https://www.gamesindustry.biz/us-appeal-court-throws-out-ftcs-challenge-against-microsofts-687bn-acquisition-of-activision-blizzard]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Acquisition Value**: The acquisition was valued at **$69 billion**, making it one of the largest in the gaming industry [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3374175-court-upholds-microsofts-69-billion-activision-blizzard-deal]. - **Timeline of Events**: - **Late 2023**: Microsoft completes the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. - **2023**: FTC files for an injunction to block the merger, which is denied by a judge. - **May 7, 2025**: Appeals court dismisses FTC's challenge, solidifying Microsoft's acquisition [https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/the-ftc-has-lost-its-appeal-against-microsofts-acquisition-of-activision-blizzard]. ### Conclusion: A Landmark Decision for Microsoft and the Gaming Sector In summary, the federal appeals court's ruling in favor of Microsoft represents a **decisive victory** in the ongoing legal battles surrounding major tech acquisitions. The court's decision not only upholds Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard but also highlights the complexities and challenges regulatory bodies face in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. 1. **Microsoft's Acquisition**: Successfully completed in late 2023, despite initial legal hurdles. 2. **FTC's Legal Challenge**: The agency's appeal was dismissed, affirming the legality of the merger. 3. **Industry Impact**: This ruling may influence future tech mergers and acquisitions, potentially easing regulatory scrutiny in similar cases. This outcome is likely to have lasting implications for both Microsoft and the broader gaming industry, as it sets a precedent for how large-scale acquisitions will be treated in the future [https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-xbox-secure-victory-in-ftc-appeal-cementing-usd69b-activision-blizzard-deal].