Microsoft wins EU antitrust approval for Activision deal
Microsoft Corp won EU antitrust approval for its $69 billion acquisition of Activision on Monday, in a significant boost that could prompt Chinese and South Korean regulators to follow suit despite a British veto of the deal. The US software giant still faces a battle to clinch the world's biggest gaming industry takeover, however. It has until May 24 to appeal a decision by Britain's Com Pet ition & Markets Authority (CMA) to block it. A final decision may take months. The US Federal Trade Commission's case against the deal is also pending at the agency, though Japan approved it in March. The European Commission said the transaction was pro-com Pet itive due to Microsoft's agreement to licence popular Activision Game s such as "Call of Duty" to rival Game streaming platforms, confirming a Reuters report in March. Such licences are "practical and effective", European Union antitrust chie...