United Kingdom: Announced in-depth investigation into Microsoft/Activision merger
Description
Announced in-depth investigation into Microsoft/Activision merger
On 15 September 2022, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced its decision to open an in-depth investigation into the Microsoft Corporation/Activision Blizzard merger. In Phase 1, the CMA concluded that the merger might be expected to result in a lessening of competition in the United Kingdom. Specifically, the CMA stated that after the merger, Microsoft could use popular games such as "Call of Duty" and "World of Warcraft" to disadvantage rivals in cloud gaming and multi-game subscription services markets. In its preliminary findings, issued on 1 September 2022, the CMA required the companies to offer their commitments to address the raised concerns, but the entities have not submitted any proposals.
Original sourceScope
Policy Area
Competition
Policy Instrument
Merger control regulation
Regulated Economic Activity
software provider: other software
Implementation Level
national
Government Branch
executive
Government Body
competition authority
Complete timeline of this policy change
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2022-07-06
under deliberation
2022-07-06
in consultation
2022-07-20
processing consultation
2022-09-01
under investigation
2022-09-15
under deliberation
2022-10-14
in consultation
2022-10-28
processing consultation
2023-02-08
in consultation
2023-02-08
in consultation
2023-02-22
processing consultation
2023-03-01
processing consultation
2023-03-24
under investigation
2023-04-26
in force
2023-05-18
in consultation
2023-05-26
under appeal
2023-06-19
processing consultation
2023-07-14
under investigation
2023-07-21
in force
2023-07-31
in consultation
2023-08-04
processing consultation
2023-08-22
in consultation
2023-09-01
processing consultation
2023-09-22
in consultation
2023-10-06
processing consultation