FTC returning Microsoft, Activision Blizzard matter to adjudication

In a notice dated September 26 posted to the site of the Federal Trade Commission, the FTC stated: “On December 8, 2022, the Commission issued an administrative complaint seeking to block the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Inc. by Microsoft Corp. On June 12, 2023, Commission staff filed a Complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California seeking to enjoin the transaction pending completion of the administrative proceeding. The district court held an evidentiary hearing and, on July 10, 2023, denied the request for preliminary injunction… On July 12, 2023, the Commission noticed an appeal of the district court’s decision, and briefing on the appeal is nearly complete. On July 18, 2023, Respondents in the administrative proceeding filed a Motion to Withdraw This Proceeding from Adjudication. Pursuant to Rule 3.26(c) of the Commission Rules of Practice, 16 C.F.R. Section 3.26(c) (2022), the matter was withdrawn from adjudication, and all proceedings before the Administrative Law Judge were stayed… The Commission has determined that the public interest warrants that this matter be resolved fully and expeditiously. Therefore, the Commission is returning this matter to adjudication.”