The FTC has officially dropped its legal case against Microsoft following the American tech giant’s aquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023. Microsoft is now free from scrutiny, and can now proceed with all manner of business shenanigans with Activision Blizzard in tow without worrying about the courts.
This legal battle, which has been raging for roughly the past two years, concluded as the FTC filed an order to dismiss its case. This comes now as the FTC recently had its appeal for an injunction on the aquisition declined, meaning in simple terms the FTC didn’t really have any more cards left to play.
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Brad Smith, Microsoft Vice Chair, responded to the announcement gleefully in social media, posting: “Today’s decision is a victory for players across the country and for common sense in Washington, D.C. We are grateful to the FTC for today’s announcement.”
The FTC, in its filing to withdraw from this legal battle, conceeding the clash with the following statement: “The Commission has determined that the public interest is best served by dismissing the administrative litigation in this case. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Complaint in this matter be, and it hereby is, DISMISSED.”
So that’s that. The end of a saga of great legal consequence for the video game industry. Now, Microsoft is free to spread the wings it has recently bought and strapped on, and fly out in pursuit of large sums of money unimpeded. Whether or not the FTC’s fears were well placed, and Microsoft will start leaning on the large market share it now has, is something video game fans will have to keep an eye out for.
How do you feel about this conclusion? Happy, or bummed out? Let us know below!