The European Commission (E.C.) said Microsoft had addressed their concerns on competition issues. It comes three weeks after the U.K. blocked the deal over concerns it would harm competition in the emerging cloud gaming business. It has divided regulators worldwide, but the proposed takeover is poised to be the largest deal in gaming history. Activision and Microsoft need approval from regulatory...
The Competition and Markets Authority has denied that its decision to block Microsoft’s $68.7 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard threatens the UK’s reputation as a place to do business. At a hearing before the Business and Trade Committee on May 16, 2023, CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said the regulator was “absolutely committed to supporting competitive markets in a...
UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is responsible for scrutinizing and preventing mergers and acquisitions that might adversely affect competition. In January 2022, Microsoft announced its goal to purchase Activision Blizzard, a leading global video game publisher. The CMA has investigated the proposed acquisition, citing concerns that the deal could reduce competition and harm...
A CMA investigation has tentatively concluded that Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision could lead to higher prices and less choice or innovation for UK gamers. Competition and Markets Authority of the provisional findings follow an extensive investigation over the past five months to understand the market and the deal’s potential impact. To understand their views on the...
Microsoft is reportedly expecting UK regulators, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), to oppose its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, according to report from The New York Times.“Microsoft’s legal team also expects the antitrust authority in Britain to oppose the transaction,” reads the report.European Union regulators have issued a formal antitrust warning to Microsoft over...
The rollout of new Microsoft 365 features to track productivity, which would monitor 73 pieces of “granular data” about workers, was meant to be a boon time for the technology company. But it quickly turned into a nightmare. Announced in October, and criticised heavily by technology researcher Wolfie Christl in November, the feature – Microsoft Productivity Score – was drastically scaled back...
Microsoft has unveiled its last-minute marketing push for the soon-to-be ubiquitous OS, including five new ads featuring children from the US, Morocco, Thailand, Iceland and the UK stumbling, giggling and burbling at the news they will “grow up with Windows 10”. The concept revolves around the fact that Microsoft will not be replacing Windows 10 any time soon; instead of major new...
Tech giant Microsoft has thrown its weight behind the potential economic legacy of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The US company has announced a new joint initiative with the West Midlands Combined Authority which will focus on delivering digital skills in the region and the financial investment to support it. The multi-year initiative will build on both the legacy of the Commonwealth...