The Federal Trade Commission officially ended its legal fight against Microsoft on Thursday. The agency filed papers to dismiss its case about the tech company buying video game maker Activision Blizzard King. This marks the final chapter of a battle that started three years ago. The FTC had tried to stop what became the biggest purchase ever seen among gaming companies. Officials decided that the public would benefit more from ending the court case.
Microsoft first said it wanted to buy Activision Blizzard King in early 2022. The FTC sued the company later that same year to prevent the deal from happening. Courts sided with Microsoft when the case went to trial. The Ninth Circuit Court confirmed this decision on May 7th. Microsoft finished buying the gaming company in October 2023, even as legal challenges continued.
Brad Smith from Microsoft praised the decision to end the lawsuit. He called it a win for gamers across America and praised the FTC for making this choice. The commission had criticized Microsoft after the purchase was complete. They spoke against the company raising Game Pass prices and cutting thousands of jobs.
Microsoft first said it wanted to buy Activision Blizzard King in early 2022. The FTC sued the company later that same year to prevent the deal from happening. Courts sided with Microsoft when the case went to trial. The Ninth Circuit Court confirmed this decision on May 7th. Microsoft finished buying the gaming company in October 2023, even as legal challenges continued.
Brad Smith from Microsoft praised the decision to end the lawsuit. He called it a win for gamers across America and praised the FTC for making this choice. The commission had criticized Microsoft after the purchase was complete. They spoke against the company raising Game Pass prices and cutting thousands of jobs.
