Microsoft Appeals UK Veto of Activision Blizzard Takeover

Microsoft is legally challenging the UK competition regulator’s decision to block its $69bn (£55bn) takeover of video games giant Activision Blizzard.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) surprise decision last month was seen to have seriously diminished the tech firm’s ambitions.

The Xbox maker claims consumers and competition won’t be hurt by the deal.

Global regulators are split in their opinion; 37 other countries including Japan and Ukraine have approved it.

Microsoft has already received the green light from China, the world’s biggest gaming market, and from the European Commission (EC).

“China’s unconditional clearance of our acquisition of Activision Blizzard follows clearance decisions from jurisdictions such as the European Union and Japan, bringing the total to 37 countries representing more than two billion people,” a Microsoft spokesperson emailed in a statement.

“The acquisition combined with our recent commitments to the European Commission will empower consumers worldwide to play more games on more devices.”

Following the EC’s approval, CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said the regulator stood by its decision.

“Microsoft’s proposals, accepted by the European Commission today, would allow Microsoft to set the terms and conditions for this market for the next 10 years,” she said.

BBC/ Dominica Nwabufo