US Regulator , Takes Aim At Microsoft's , Takeover of Activision.<br />Regulators in the United States have reportedly <br />asked a judge to block Microsoft's proposed <br />$69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.<br />BBC reports that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission <br />(FTC) said that the deal could "substantially <br />lessen competition" in the gaming sector.<br />The acquisition, if allowed to move <br />forward, would be the largest in <br />the video game industry's history.<br />The news comes after the United Kingdom <br />voted to block the deal, citing concerns <br />that it would hurt competition.<br />BBC reports that the U.S. trial <br />is set to begin in August.<br />According to an FTC court filing, a , "preliminary injunction is necessary <br />to... prevent interim harm." .<br />The regulator also said that <br />the trial will determine whether , "the proposed acquisition <br />violates US antitrust law.".<br />Microsoft's push to takeover Activision has <br />been under intense regulator scrutiny, with <br />only the European Union approving the deal.<br />BBC reports that the European Commission <br />said they approved the deal due to Microsoft's <br />promise to offer a 10-year free licensing deal. .<br />The deal reportedly promises that European<br />consumers and cloud gaming services will have <br />access to Activision's PC and console games. .<br />The UK's Competition and Markets Authority <br />(CMA) said they blocked the deal over concerns <br />that the massive acquisition would impact <br />innovation and lead to less choice for gamers
