UK Tribunal Lets Activision Blizzard Help Microsoft In CMA Appeal

Activision Blizzard has been given permission to join Microsoft in their appeal against the Competition and Markets Authority. According to Reuters, the publisher of Call of Duty will present their own arguments in addition to those put forth by Microsoft.

In May, Microsoft filed an appeal to the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal concerning the blocked merger with Activision Blizzard. Both companies expressed their intention to challenge the decision after the Competition and Markets Authority’s ruling in April.

The game studios will present their case to CAT during the month of July. The CEO of Activision Blizzard, Bobby Kotick, previously stated that he anticipated the merger to conclude by the end of Microsoft’s current fiscal year, which is this month.

Read more: Microsoft’s Smith Meets UK Finance Minister Over Merger Block

The CMA is currently a major obstacle for developers attempting to finalize their $69 billion merger. In response, the CMA has implemented an additional ban that prevents the two companies from acquiring each other without first obtaining permission from the regulator.

Microsoft argued that the CMA’s decision was based on false evidence and ignored previous agreements related to cloud gaming. Corporate VP Rima Alaily expressed confidence in the company’s ability to overturn the decision through the appeals process.