Canadian Regulator Expressed Concerns Over Microsoft-Activision Acquisition

Microsoft has responded to the Canada Competition Bureau, stating that the window for the regulator to block the acquisition has now closed. According to a spokesperson, the notice to continue monitoring the transaction was received after the waiting period had expired. The company will continue to work with regulators to address any remaining concerns. The Canada Competition Bureau had previously expressed its belief that the deal could harm competition in the console and multi-game subscription markets. The Bureau had also corrected factual inaccuracies in Microsoft's documents, citing that not all worldwide regulators have dismissed the idea of Call of Duty becoming exclusive to the Xbox ecosystem. While the Bureau has informed Microsoft and Activision Blizzard of its concerns, it emphasized that it is still monitoring the transaction. Microsoft has gained approval from several regulators, including those in China, Japan, and the European Union, but the FTC is still seeking a preliminary injunction ahead of its administrative hearing in August.