A second major victory is emerging for Microsoft and Activision Blizzard. After the validation of the European Union, it is China which would have given its approval.
After the clear blocking of the CMA in the United Kingdom, it is the beginning of a reassembled that seems to succeed in operating Microsoft and Activision Blizzard. On May 15, 2023, the European Commission announced the validation of the takeover project with a compromise on the 10-year share from Microsoft.
From now on, we learn that China would have in turn delivered the result of its investigation with a validation for the repurchase.
Two wins, one loss, one draw
The Seeking Alpha site reveals that the SAMR, the Chinese market regulator, would have delivered an unconditional approval of the takeover of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft. The media cites a report from the firm DealReporter to confirm this.
This is an important step in the life of the takeover project. Since its announcement in January 2022, Microsoft and Activision have been awaiting results from authorities in 4 territories: China, the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom. Now we know all the results.
China and the European Union have approved the project, the United Kingdom is blocking the takeover and we can speak of a draw for the moment in the United States. Indeed for the latter, if the FTC has requested a blockage, it will be decided during a trial which should open this summer.
With both validations in hand, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard lawyers can now focus on the appeal process in the UK and the trial with the FTC in the US.
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