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.

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Now, US Senators have joined the fray, advocating for the FTC to stop the deal because it harms workers efforts to better themselves and/or unionize.

But is that the real ambit of the Federal Trade Commission and antitrust law? And what is their letter *really* about?

Political grandstanding is the same all over, especially...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/Nq2ogQc1K24

#Activision #Microsoft #Senators

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

03:05 Foundational Principles (How is this Supposed to Work?)

06:58 The Letter - Monopsony and Consumer Welfare

15:47 The Letter - A Litany of Sins

29:04 The Letter - Why Are They Writing This?

36:00 Conclusion

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Discussed in this episode:

HOEG LAW PLAYLISTS AND VIDEOS

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9PBxr5dNcoQLh2erIt2XrZ

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

TWEETS AND ARTICLES

https://twitter.com/stephentotilo/status/1509633730058543117

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-senators-pressure-ftc-to-review-microsoft-activision-merger-11648741204

LAW AND LEGAL ANALYSIS

https://www.ftc.gov/advice-guidance/competition-guidance/guide-antitrust-laws/mergers/premerger-notification-merger-review-process

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

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

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/45

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

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

https://law.stanford.edu/press/congress-hears-challenges-to-the-consumer-welfare-standard/

https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_statements/1596664/agency_priorities_memo_from_chair_lina_m_khan_9-22-21.pdf

https://www.markhamlawfirm.com/the-consumer-welfare-standard-should-cease-to-be-the-north-star-of-antitrust/

GAME STATS

https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/video-games-united-states/

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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.

***

Twitter: @hoeglaw

Web: hoeglaw.com