‘EU sends list of objections to Microsoft about Activision Blizzard takeover’

The European Commission, the competition regulator in the European Union, is likely to send a list of objections and concerns to Microsoft, Reuters writes. These concerns concern the proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

This concerns a so-called statement of objections in which the Commission explains its concerns about the deal, Reuters sources report who are familiar with the subject. This document should be sent to Microsoft in the coming weeks. Such a document cannot yet be regarded as a formal objection to the acquisition desired by Microsoft. A statement of objections is a mandatory step before a final decision.

The document must contain the essential facts on which the Commission relies and must make clear how the Commission assesses those facts. The aim is to inform one or more parties involved about the objections that the Commission has, so that the parties can relate to them and, if necessary, defend themselves against them. It must also contain a description of the infringements that the Commission finds and the evidence on which the supervisor relies.

The deadline for a final decision from the EU is April 11. Reuters reached out to the Commission for comment but received no response. Microsoft responded and said it will continue to work with the European Commission to address concerns about the market situation. The company says its goal is to bring more games to more people and the acquisition will accelerate that goal, according to Microsoft.

Microsoft wants to acquire the game publisher for $68.7 billion in what would be the largest acquisition in the gaming sector to date. The companies announced the deal last year. The American regulator FTC, among others, is critical because Microsoft would receive an unfair advantage and could limit competition in the market. These concerns relate, for example, to the question of whether access to Activision titles such as Call of Duty on competing platforms will still be possible after the acquisition. Microsoft believes these concerns are unfounded. The company points out, among other things, that it has offered Sony a ten-year Call of Duty license and that it also intends to bring the game series to Nintendo consoles if the takeover goes through.