Microsoft facing EU antitrust warning over Activision Blizzard deal - report
Microsoft Corp.
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Microsoft is reportedly likely to receive an EU antitrust warning about its $69bn bid for "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard that could pose another challenge to completing the deal.
Activision Blizzard Inc.
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Reuters cited people familiar with the matter as saying that the European Commission is readying a charge sheet known as a statement of objections setting out its concerns about the deal which will be sent to Microsoft in the coming weeks.
The EU antitrust watchdog, which has set an April 11 deadline for its decision on the deal, declined to comment to Reuters.
Microsoft said: "We're continuing to work with the European Commission to address any marketplace concerns. Our goal is to bring more games to more people, and this deal will further that goal."
Since the US software giant announced the acquisition in January last year, US and UK regulators have voiced concerns about the deal, with the US Federal Trade Commission going to court to block the deal.
Microsoft was expected to offer remedies to EU regulators in an attempt to avert a statement of charge and shorten the regulatory process, other sources familiar with the matter told Reuters in November.
The EU competition enforcer, however, is not expected to be open to remedies without first sending out its charge sheet, although there are ongoing informal discussions on concessions, the sources said.