To defend its takeover plan, Microsoft is expected to intervene at a European Union hearing on February 21. The opportunity for Sony PlayStation to also intervene.
Microsoft’s proposed takeover of Activision Blizzard is probably reaching its final stretch. After the announcement of an attack by the FTC in December 2022, the United Kingdom issued a rather unfavorable opinion requesting negotiations from Microsoft and the European Union sent a warning.
It is this last region that interests us today. Before the deadline of April 11, 2023, the date on which the European Commission will have to issue a final opinion, Microsoft wishes to defend its case in Europe. A hearing has been scheduled for February 21.
The last chance negotiation
According to Reuters news agency, this is a last-ditch attempt on the part of Microsoft to try to validate its takeover project. The firm should therefore be able to present compromises likely to allay the fears of the authorities.
We do not know the extent of these fears on the part of the European Union on this issue. Microsoft will however have to negotiate compromises that the firm will also propose to the CMA in the United Kingdom. The objective for Microsoft is both to validate its project, but also to sign the same compromises everywhere in the world.
If the hearing was not to be broadcast in public, Sony would have to come and play the troublemakers. Indeed, the manufacturer of the PlayStation should also be present at the hearing to plead the blocking of the file. Other market stakeholders are free to participate and we can therefore imagine a coming from Google or Nvidia.
The day of February 21 therefore promises to be crucial for the future of the takeover project. If Microsoft manages to convince the EU, the firm will have taken a big step forward. If the attempt fails, one can legitimately think that the takeover will never succeed.
Do you use Google News (News in France)? You can follow your favorite media. Follow Frandroid on Google News (And Numerama).
