Regulators Extend Deadline in Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Acquisition Case

The U.K. regulatory agency, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has extended the deadline for ruling on Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard by six weeks. Microsoft had paused its appeal efforts in the U.K. to negotiate with the CMA after a California judge denied the FTC's request to block the acquisition. The new deadline of August 29 adds uncertainty to Microsoft's acquisition efforts, as its deadline to close the deal is July 18. If the CMA does not provide an updated ruling by then, Microsoft may need to exclude the U.K. from the deal or reach an agreement before August 29.