Activision Blizzard’s CCO has said the company “won’t hesitate to fight” to ensure Microsoft is successful in acquiring it.
Executive vice president for corporate affairs and CCO Lulu Cheng Meservey took to Twitter to address “speculation” regarding the ongoing antitrust investigations currently being carried out by various global regulators.
“Seeing a lot of speculation aboutMicrosoft‘s acquisition ofActivision Blizzard,” she said.
“Any suggestion that the transaction could have anticompetitive effects is absurd.
“This merger will benefit gamers and the US gaming industry — especially as we face stiffer competition from abroad.
“We’re committed to continuing to work cooperatively with regulators around the globe to allow the transaction to proceed, but won’t hesitate to fight to defend the transaction if that’s needed.”
Meservey’s comments came a couple of hours after the publication of aPoliticoreport which claimed that the US Federal Trade Commission is“likely to file an antitrust lawsuit”to block Microsoft‘s proposed takeover of Activision Blizzard.
We’re committed to continuing to work cooperatively with regulators around the globe to allow the transaction to proceed, but won’t hesitate to fight to defend the transaction if that’s needed.
An antitrust lawsuit would mean that Microsoft would have to fight to push forward its acquisition of the Call of Duty maker in US courts.
Citing three sources, the report claimed that while a lawsuit challenging the deal isn’t certain, FTC chair LinaKhanis looking to “reign in the power of the world’s largest technology companies.”
Further reading
While the deal has been approved by regulators inSaudi ArabiaandBrazil, UK watchdog the CMA recentlyexpanded its investigation to a second phase.
The European Commission has alsoofficially launched an in-depth probeof the $68.7 billion deal, which would be the game industry’sbiggest ever by some distance.
