Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Analysis of the elements of process under antitrust law

Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is one of the biggest events in the history of the video games and digital technology industry. The transaction required legal analyses and regulatory approval. The analyses mainly covered antitrust, competition and consumer rights issues. The body of the article presents the acquisition process with particular emphasis on its legal perspective. The positions of the most important regulatory authorities in Europe and the US, the remedies taken and the obligations for the companies involved in the transaction for the future are presented. When analysing the takeover process, it is necessary to ask what the positions of the antitrust authorities were and what similarities and differences can be observed in their decisions.

Bibliografia/References

 

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Akty prawne/Legal acts

Competition Act (1998). legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/41/contents

Enterprise Act (2002). legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/40/contents

Rozporządzenie Rady (WE) nr 139/2004 z 20.01.2004 r. w sprawie kontroli koncentracji przedsiębiorstw (Dz. Urz. UE L24/1).