The Federal Trade Commission has requested a preliminary injunction to stop Microsoft from completing its acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. A federal court has granted a restraining order until it can consider the injunction, which Microsoft has welcomed as it will speed up the legal process. Microsoft cannot complete the acquisition until after the court rules on the injunction, and if granted, the FTC can argue its case before the deal is finalized. Microsoft and Activision must submit their responses to the injunction by June 16, followed by the FTC’s response by June 20. A hearing is scheduled for June 22 and 23. The UK’s CMA has already blocked the merger, with Microsoft and Activision appealing the decision. The deal must close by July 18 or Microsoft risks paying Activision a $3 billion breakup fee.
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