FTC Files Appeal Against Verdict from Trial Against Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision Blizzard

The US Federal Trade Commission has filed an appeal to challenge the verdict of its recent trial against Microsoft’s attempted acquisition of Activision Blizzard. According to IGN, the appeal aims to win a preliminary injunction against the acquisition, blocking it from happening before a trial slated for August.

It is worth noting that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is currently scheduled to be completed before its deadline of July 18. Missing the deadline would have an incredible effect on the deal, with Microsoft being forced to pay Activision Blizzard $3 billion, while also possibly having to deal with re-negotiations.

A recent report indicated that the FTC was “leaning” towards appealing the recent verdict from the trial, where US District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in San Francisco denied the FTC its injunction against the deal.

Microsoft, in the mean time, has also been dealing with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority. The CMA is said to have paused its litigation against the deal, and is resuming negotiations with Microsoft in a bid to close the deal by July 18.