UK regulator aims for decision on Microsoft-Activision deal by August 29

Britain’s antitrust regulator on Monday opened up its inquiry into Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal for comments as it aims for a final decision by Aug. 29 on a $69 billion takeover it had previously blocked in April.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also on Monday published Microsoft’s arguments explaining why the deal should be re-evaluated, as the US software giant battles to win UK approval to buy “Call of Duty” maker Activision.