Microsoft's planned $69 billion purchase of video game company Activision Blizzard was blocked by a federal judge Tuesday, giving more time for an antitrust review of the deal.
U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in San Francisco ruled in support of a temporary restraining order sought by the Federal Trade Commission that will stop Microsoft from closing the deal.
In a court filing Monday, the commission had sought both a restraining order and injunction to stop Microsoft’s acquisition of the California company behind hit games such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush Saga.
Microsoft, maker of the Xbox game system, has spent months trying to win worldwide approval for the merger. While a number of countries have approved the acquisition, regulators for two important economies — the U.S. and the U.K. — have taken action to stop it, arguing it could suppress competition in the video game market.
The judge said her order temporarily blocking the deal “is necessary to maintain the status quo” while the Federal Trade Commission's legal cases against it are still pending. The bar for issuing an urgent restraining order is lower than it is to issue a preliminary injunction blocking the deal. A hearing on the commission's request for an injunction is set for June 22.
The commission said it brought its case to a federal court this week because it was concerned that Microsoft was trying to imminently close the deal before the trial begins, which would make it "difficult, if not impossible” to reverse course if the acquisition was later found to be illegal.
Microsoft said in a written statement late Tuesday that “accelerating the legal process in the U.S will ultimately bring more choice and competition to the gaming market."
“A temporary restraining order makes sense until we can receive a decision from the Court, which is moving swiftly,” the company said.
Social media platforms walk a fine line when it comes to free speech, especially when posts lead to real-life negative consequences. Texas lawmakers are trying to enforce a law that would prohibit platforms from taking any action when it comes to malicious or violent posts, and they insist it does not violate the First Amendment. But the Supreme Court thinks otherwise, at least for now. Matt Schruers, President of the Computer & Communications Industry Association, joins Closing Bell to discuss what threat the Texas law poses to social platforms, why his organization sued over the law, what it could mean for users, and more.
Fintech company Acrisure recently raised $725 million in a new funding led by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, bringing the company's valuation to $23 billion. Acrisure offers financial solutions including insurance, reinsurance, real estate services, cyber services, and asset management. The company says its financial solutions are powered by the best of human and artificial intelligence. Greg Williams, co-founder, CEO and President of Acrisure, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Experts are calling summer 2022 the "summer of travel." Millions are finally taking that trip that got delayed several times in the last few years. They are taking advantage of remote work policies, and making up for too much time at home. James Ferrara, president and co-founder of InteleTravel, joins Cheddar News to discuss.
On Today's Biz Breakdown, the oil shortage being compared to the 1970s gas crisis, home prices surged In March, and 56% of tech workers say they would quit if recorded by their employer.
Summer-focused businesses such as pools, restaurants, and camps are seeing major labor shortages like so many other sectors right before the busy season. Monica Plaza, the chief strategy officer at Wonolo, a staffing platform, joined Cheddar News to break down the ongoing worker shortages and discuss ways to entice future employees for hospitality and leisure. “There are workers out there. It's a matter of how do you attract them and how do you make sure that they want to work at your particular job and stay," she said.
A swift jump in Treasury yields rattled Wall Street Wednesday, weighing down stock indexes at the start of another month in what’s been a turbulent year.
It's the unofficial start of summer, and after two years of COVID, Americans are ready to travel again. So how can you beat the crowds and keep your family safe? Cheddar's Shannon Lanier has some hacks that can help you make the most of your summer vacation with minimum hassle.
