Microsoft deal to buy Activision can go forward: US judge

A US judge ruled on Tuesday that Microsoft may go forward with its planned acquisition of videogame maker Activision Blizzard, turning aside antitrust enforcers’ request for a preliminary injunction to temporarily stop the $69 billion deal.

Shortly after the judge’s ruling, Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority, which had objected to the deal in April, said that it was prepared to consider Microsoft’s proposals to resolve antitrust concerns in the UK. Activision shares, already up about 5 per cent after the US news, doubled and rose nearly 10 per cent.