UKs blocked Microsoft Activision takeover forbids a retry within 10 years

The UK’s blocked attempt at Microsoft’s takeover of Activision Blizzard forbids another retry within 10 years, apparently.

Most assumed that Microsoft’s proposed takeover of Activision Blizzard would have been sealed by how. However, UK market regulators threw a spanner into the works by blocking the deal.

No doubt, Microsoft and Activision will continue to work together in order to push the deal through with an appeal. Yet, another spanner would be thrown into the works if the appeal is unsuccessful.

As reported by Push Square (via ResetEra), if an appeal is successful, it will prevent Microsoft from acquiring Activision Blizzard for at least another 10 years. On ResetEra, official 900+ page documents have been shared and on page 339, under article 11.29, it reads:

“Prohibition would be affected by accepting undertakings under section 82 of the Act or making an order under section 84 of the Act, prohibiting the Merger and preventing the Parties from attempting to merge for a further period: our normal practice would be to prevent a future merger between the Parties for the next ten years, absent a change of circumstances.”

So yeah, it seems pretty clear that if Microsoft is unsuccessful with an appeal, it might have to wait another 10 years to acquire Activision Blizzard. That being said, I’m sure the expensive lawyers of Microsoft and Activision will do its best to find a compromise or loophole.

Featured Image Credit: Microsoft/Activision Blizzard/Source: Push Square via ResetEra