A few days ago, Microsoft asked Sony to disclose inside information to support its defense against the FTC. However, the Redmond company will also have to strengthen its arguments against the European antitrust committee which this week would have met Jim Ryan, the CEO of Sony.
Sony and EU in contact to discuss the acquisition of Activision Blizzard?
Jim Ryan and Margrethe Vestager, the European Union’s antitrust chief, met on Wednesday, a Reuters source said. Reuters also reports that the European Union is expected to deliver a charge sheet outlining its concerns over Microsoft’s transaction later this week.
For Sony it is above all a question of making the European Union understand the danger that such an acquisition entails for Sony, but also for other major players in the sector who would not have the possibility to compete with such a group.
This won’t make Microsoft’s job any easier, as it’s already dealing with a big wave of internal layoffs and the FTC lawsuit. According to the latest news, Microsoft intended to present solutions and guarantees to EU regulators to avoid prolonging procedures, or even going to court. Meanwhile, the European Commission has until April 11 to comment.
Lately the CMA (UK) and the European Commission were still examining the dossier to deliver their verdict despite objections expected from the European Commission during the week. You can find the calendar of upcoming deadlines in our complete file on the acquisition of Activision by Microsoft. If Europe and the UK validate and fail to object to the acquisition, Microsoft could attempt a forced passage and validate the acquisition without FTC approval, thereby exposing itself to a possible lawsuit in US federal court.
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