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Uk Regulator

All articles tagged with #uk regulator

technology2 years ago•3 min saved

Regulators Investigate Amazon and Microsoft's Cloud Dominance in the UK

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is launching an investigation into major cloud service providers, including Microsoft and Amazon, over concerns related to cloud services. The investigation follows a report by telecoms regulator Ofcom, which identified issues such as charges for moving data out of the cloud, discounts for using only one provider, and technical barriers to switching between providers. Ofcom expressed particular concerns about Microsoft's software licensing practices. The CMA's inquiry group will assess whether competition in the market is working effectively and determine any necessary actions. The investigation could take up to 18 months to complete.

via The Verge|

#amazon #cloud-services #competition-investigation

business2 years ago•1 min saved

Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal receives preliminary approval from UK regulator and gains support in FTC appeal

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given preliminary approval for Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, after the deal was restructured to address concerns over cloud gaming. The CMA has opened a consultation period to gather third-party feedback on Microsoft's proposed remedies, with a final decision expected before the October 18th deadline. Both Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are optimistic about the outcome and view this as a significant milestone towards completing the merger. The UK is the final regulatory hurdle for Microsoft's massive deal.

via The Verge|

#acquisition #activision-blizzard #business

business2 years ago•1 min saved

Regulators Pause Appeals, Microsoft-Activision Deal Under Scrutiny

The Microsoft-Activision deal is back in the hands of the UK's antitrust regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), after an appeals court granted an adjournment. Microsoft has presented arguments for the reconsideration, citing binding commitments made to the European Union and agreements with other companies to address concerns about competition in the cloud gaming market. The CMA is expected to reach a new provisional view on the deal in early August. The CMA dismissed the failure of US authorities to block the deal in their courts as irrelevant.

via Reuters|

#activision #antitrust #business

business2 years ago•3 min saved

"Microsoft and UK Regulator Extend Deadline for Activision Merger Resolution"

Microsoft and the UK's antitrust regulator have been given a two-month pause in their legal battle over Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The Competition Appeal Tribunal wants the regulator to justify the adjournment and provide evidence of a material change in circumstances. Microsoft appealed the regulator's decision to block the merger in April, citing concerns over cloud gaming. The parties involved have requested more time to resolve the issues, with the final decision expected by August 29th.

via Engadget|

#activision-merger #business #competition-and-markets-authority

business2 years ago•2 min saved

UK Regulator Upholds Decision to Block Microsoft's $69 Billion Activision Blizzard Buyout

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has confirmed that it "still stands" by its decision to block Microsoft's $69 billion buyout of Activision Blizzard. Talks between the CMA and Microsoft are in their early stages, with a hearing scheduled for later this month. The CMA is open to a new investigation if the deal is restructured to address its concerns about stifling competition in the cloud gaming market. However, it is speculated that the CMA's resistance may be a face-saving measure, as it was counting on support from other regulators to block the deal, which has not materialized.

via Push Square|

#activision-blizzard #business #competition

business2 years ago•2 min saved

Regulator Warns of Potential Merger Investigation for Microsoft's Activision Deal

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has warned that Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard may trigger a new merger investigation. While negotiations between Microsoft and the CMA are at an early stage, the regulator emphasizes that the discussions could lead to a new investigation. The CMA had originally blocked the deal earlier this year due to concerns over cloud gaming competition. CNBC reported that Microsoft and the CMA have agreed on a "small divestiture" to address these concerns, likely specific to the UK and related to Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming services. EU regulators approved the deal earlier this year with the condition of 10-year licensing deals offered by Microsoft to cloud gaming competitors.

via The Verge|

#acquisition #activision #business

business2 years ago•0 min saved

Regulators Clash Over Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Merger

The UK regulator's chiefs have defended their decision to block the Microsoft-Activision merger, stating that the deal would have resulted in a "substantial lessening of competition" in the gaming industry. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had concerns that the merger would have given Microsoft too much control over the supply of video games, leading to higher prices and less choice for consumers.

via Financial Times|

#activision #business #decision

business2 years ago•1 min saved

"UK Regulator Tightens Restrictions on Microsoft and Activision Blizzard"

The UK regulator, Competition and Markets Authority, has imposed further restrictions on Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, stating that both companies need to seek prior written consent before acquiring an interest in each other or any of their subsidiaries. The restrictions have been added to prevent pre-emptive action from either company. Last month, the CMA blocked Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard due to concerns over Microsoft becoming dominant in the cloud gaming space. Microsoft has vowed to appeal against the decision, and the CMA and Activision Blizzard are preparing their cases for the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

via GamesIndustry.biz|

#acquisition #activision-blizzard #business

business2 years ago•1 min saved

Microsoft hires lawyer to challenge UK regulator's merger block.

Microsoft has hired Daniel Beard KC, a lawyer known for defeating the EU regulator in competition cases, to appeal the UK regulator's decision to block its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) prevented the deal from going ahead last month, citing concerns over its effect on competition in the cloud gaming market. Microsoft hopes Beard will be successful in appealing the CMA's decision, while the EU is also investigating the acquisition and is expected to make its decision within the next two weeks.

via Video Games Chronicle|

#activision-blizzard #business #competition-appeal-tribunal

business2 years ago•3 min saved

Sony Criticizes UK Regulator's Reversal on Microsoft Activision Deal as "Surprising and Irrational"

Sony has criticized the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for its revised appraisal of Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, calling it "surprising, unprecedented, and irrational." Sony argues that the CMA's new findings are based on a flawed economic model and that the gains Microsoft would get from players switching to Xbox would be "three times as high as the lifetime value of an average PlayStation user." The CMA's final report ruling on the Activision Blizzard deal is due by April 26.

via Video Games Chronicle|

#activision-blizzard #business #gaming-industry

business2 years ago•3 min saved

UK regulator approves Microsoft's acquisition of Activision for console gaming.

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has updated its provisional findings on Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, stating that it no longer believes the deal will significantly reduce competition in the console gaming space. The CMA's concerns about the deal have been narrowed, and it has concluded that making Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox would be significantly loss-making under any plausible scenario. The CMA's final report ruling on the Activision Blizzard deal is due by April 26.

via Video Games Chronicle|

#activision-blizzard #business #competition

business2 years ago•3 min saved

Mixed Reactions to Microsoft's Activision Deal from Game Companies and Competitors.

Six development studios have given their opinions to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regarding Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. All six studios believe the deal should go ahead, with one studio noting that Microsoft has always honoured its agreements and another suggesting that the acquisition could create a more level playing field between Xbox and PlayStation. The acquisition has been the subject of debate, with Sony claiming that Call of Duty may be withheld from it to some degree following the deal.

via Video Games Chronicle|

#acquisition #activision-blizzard #business