A US District Court in California denied Microsoft’s freeze request. activision blizzard A lawsuit filed by a gamer. In December, a group of gamers banded together to sue Microsoft and Activision over the proposed merger, claiming it harmed competition. I was requesting a stop.
Why Microsoft’s request to stop Activision Blizzard’s lawsuit was denied
according to ReutersMicrosoft argued before Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley that the gamer’s lawsuit should be stayed until the FTC’s legal challenges are resolved. Processing two lawsuits simultaneously creates “the risk of unnecessary and duplicate lawsuits and inconsistent rulings.” Attorneys for Microsoft said, “Sustaining this case while the FTC case is ongoing will simplify the issue of this matter.”
Plaintiffs’ attorneys countered Microsoft’s claims, arguing that gamers are not bound by the FTC’s legal process. Additionally, Microsoft itself had previously agreed to proceed with the lawsuit despite its opposition to the FTC’s deal.
Judge Corey has sided with the plaintiffs and is scheduled to hear their arguments against the transaction on March 23. She will then decide whether to issue a preliminary injunction blocking the purchase of Activision Blizzard.
Microsoft remains confident that the deal will go through.
