All articles tagged with #uk cma
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a phase one investigation into Microsoft's hiring of Inflection AI staff, which could impact Microsoft's AI ambitions if it progresses to a second phase. Microsoft argues that hiring talent should not be treated as a merger and is cooperating with the CMA. This investigation follows increased scrutiny of AI partnerships and investments by Big Tech in the UK and EU.
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has backtracked and stated that it could approve Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard more quickly than expected, following the software giant's legal victory against the U.S Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The CMA aims to discharge its duty and issue a revised decision within a few weeks, allowing Microsoft to acquire the gaming firm with regulatory approval. This decision will miss the previous deadline but is expected to be accommodated by both parties involved.
Microsoft President Brad Smith is set to discuss the blocked Activision Blizzard merger with UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt during a visit to London this week. Microsoft is appealing the UK CMA's decision to block the deal, with a hearing scheduled for late July. One possible extreme option for Microsoft is to bypass the UK order and push on with the takeover anyway, or even withdraw Activision from the UK market.
Microsoft has officially appealed against the UK Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) block of its Activision Blizzard takeover in April, with the formal process taking place earlier this week. The European Commission ended up approving the acquisition a few weeks later, and in a recent speech by European Commission EVP Margrethe Vestager, it was explained in depth why the Commission ended up disagreeing with the CMA about whether to approve the acquisition or not. The European Commission and UK CMA were aligned in many of these views, but the part where they disagreed was in the cloud gaming sector, where the EU decided Microsoft's remedies were sufficient.
Microsoft has filed an appeal against the UK Competition and Markets Authority's decision to block its $69 billion deal to acquire Activision Blizzard. The CMA had blocked the deal over concerns for cloud gaming. While other regulators have approved the acquisition, Microsoft's appeal could take a while, and historically entities challenging CMA decisions do not find success.
Xbox's acquisition deal of Activision-Blizzard has been approved by the European Commission, but the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) remains opposed. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's recent statement has raised questions about the company's plans in the UK if the deal is not approved. Additionally, the latest episode of IGN's Unlocked podcast discusses the recent Starfield reveal and its controversial "jetpack sex" scene.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has said that the company would "wait for it all to play out" when asked if it would sell Activision Blizzard products in the US and Europe but not in the UK if the UK CMA did not approve the acquisition. Microsoft is currently appealing the UK CMA's decision to block the takeover, and Nadella has stated that the "fundamental logic" of the deal still holds.
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has placed further restrictions on Microsoft and Activision Blizzard's attempted acquisition of each other, requiring "prior written consent" from the CMA before any action is taken. The CMA is conducting an investigation on the attempted acquisition and has voiced concerns about the future of cloud gaming. Microsoft remains committed to the deal and plans to present its case to the Competition Appeal Tribunal. The EU is expected to approve the deal next week.
Activision Blizzard has reportedly hired Lord David Pannick, a lawyer who has previously represented the Queen, to fight the UK Competition and Markets Authority's ruling against its deal with Xbox. Law analyst Florian Mueller believes this move shows Activision's commitment to overturning the ruling and is optimistic about their chances. Xbox also faces investigations from the EU and FTC in the coming weeks and months.