Activision Blizzard's year of news appearances is almost unbelievable, but perhaps none more so than the announcement that Microsoft and Xbox is purchasing them for just under $70 BILLION in cash.

But while some have dismissed concerns that federal regulators like the FTC or DOJ could come calling, a look at the political environment of 2022 might give some a moment of pause.

Political agencies act with political motivations...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/AUyntMyPQeY

#Activision #Microsoft #Antitrust

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

02:19 The Ambiguities of Antitrust

06:33 Some Very Certain Analysts

16:50 A Changing Political Landscape

26:47 Congressional Antitrust Bills

30:45 Conclusion

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Discussed in this episode:

"Microsoft x Activision"

Hoeg Law Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy_vBs7Qt9-ROfumOtIrSdP8

STATUTES

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/18

FTC/DOJ SITES AND DOCUMENTS

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/mergers-and-competition/merger-review

https://www.justice.gov/atr/horizontal-merger-guidelines-08192010

https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/us-department-justice-federal-trade-commission-vertical-merger-guidelines/vertical_merger_guidelines_6-30-20.pdf

https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_statements/1596396/statement_of_chair_lina_m_khan_commissioner_rohit_chopra_and_commissioner_rebecca_kelly_slaughter_on.pdf

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/ftc-votes-to-rescind-vertical-merger-3486202/

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2022/01/ftc-and-justice-department-seek-to-strengthen-enforcement-against-illegal-mergers

ARTICLES

https://kotaku.com/microsoft-s-activision-blizzard-purchase-isn-t-great-b-1848386247

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-01-19-unanswered-questions-about-microsofts-activision-blizzard-deal-opinion

https://www.ign.com/articles/xbox-activision-blizzard-antitrust-monopoly

https://techcrunch.com/2022/01/20/tech-antitrust-self-preferencing-bill-american-innovation-and-choice-online-act/

https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/18/22890100/antitrust-bill-apple-google-big-tech-senate

TWEETS

https://twitter.com/BenjiSales/status/1483509768417337349

https://twitter.com/PaulTassi/status/1483510258425339910

https://twitter.com/Chris_Dring/status/1483564915990446086

https://twitter.com/RepJerryNadler/status/1484232680397053956

"Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy"

July 9, 2021 - President Biden

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/07/09/executive-order-on-promoting-competition-in-the-american-economy/

PENDING BILLS

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2992/text

https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/8.11.21%20-%20Open%20App%20Markets%20Act%20-%20Bill%20Text.pdf

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"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

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Twitter: @hoeglaw

Web: hoeglaw.com