Another blow for FTC as US court refuses request to pause Microsoft-Activision deal

A US federal court on Thursday rejected the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) request that it order Microsoft to temporarily hold off on closing its $69-billion purchase of “Call of Duty” maker Activision Blizzard, a court filing showed.

A federal judge had previously ruled for Microsoft on Tuesday, saying the agency had failed to show the deal would be illegal under antitrust law. The FTC appealed that loss late on Wednesday, and Microsoft said it would fight that appeal.