Virtual Legality

Phil Spencer has been open in his desires to grow Microsoft's Xbox division and it's Game Pass subscription product, even with folks like the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) seemingly against him.

But as at least some regulators appear to be readying their arguments to block the massive near $70B Activision acquisition, Microsoft is not sitting on its hands. What did Spencer say? Why did he say it?

Sometimes the best thing to know, is what you don't know...in Virtual Legality.

#Microsoft #Xbox #Activision

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UTREON - https://utreon.com/c/hoeglaw/

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*** CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 1:32 Profitability and Game Pass 14:03 SEC Filings and Accounting 23:12 Rainclouds 27:36 It's Like Minecraft 29:10 Conclusion

*** Discussed in this episode:

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

THE CMA https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/634536048fa8f5153767e533/MSFT.ABK_phase_1_decision_-_1.09.2022.pdf

ARTICLES https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/26/23425029/microsoft-xbox-game-pass-profitable-revenues

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_accounting

https://www.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-casts-a-very-big-cloud-11666796871

https://www.wsj.com/articles/googles-bottom-line-is-now-top-of-mind-11666739186

https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/27/23426512/microsoft-xbox-game-streaming-console-years-away

TWEETS https://twitter.com/DomsPlaying/status/1585403411188846593

https://twitter.com/tomwarren/status/1585330443682926593

MS SEC FILING https://microsoft.gcs-web.com/node/31056/html

*** "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

The fight between Microsoft's Xbox division and the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has only just begun...and now everyone can tell both sides how they feel.

But as Microsoft faces more resistance to its purchase than some may have anticipated, others come out of the woodwork to put their own two cents in. For good or for ill.

It's lobbyin' time...in Virtual Legality.

#Microsoft #Xbox #Activision

*** NEW MERCH LINK: https://virtuallegalityshop.myshopify.com/

*** WANT TO SUPPORT THE CHANNEL?

UTREON - https://utreon.com/c/hoeglaw/

PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/VirtualLegality

MERCH STORE - https://virtuallegalityshop.myshopify.com/

*** CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 02:51 Who is the ITIF? 08:29 A Hole-y Argument 31:37 Conclusion ***

Discussed in this episode:

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

US CHAMBER https://www.uschamber.com/finance/antitrust/u-s-companies-foreign-competition-agencies-must-all-play-by-the-rules

ITIF https://itif.org/publications/2022/10/24/microsofts-acquisition-of-activision-blizzard-does-not-raise-foreclosure-concerns/

https://itif.org/publications/2015/01/10/about/

https://itif.org/our-supporters/

IGN https://www.ign.com/articles/best-selling-video-games-of-all-time-grand-theft-auto-minecraft-tetris

*** "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

In this episode, Richard Hoeg discusses the profitability of Game Pass, sheds light on SEC filings and accounting in relation to video games, and compares certain digital legalities to the dynamics of Minecraft.

(0:00) Introduction

(1:32) Profitability and Game Pass

(14:03) SEC Filings and Accounting

(23:12) Rainclouds

(27:36) It's Like Minecraft

(29:10) Conclusion

In this episode, Richard Hoeg introduces the ITIF, scrutinizes their arguments about digital law, and wraps up with his conclusions on the matter.

(0:00) Introduction

(2:51) Who is the ITIF?

(8:29) A Hole-y Argument

(31:37) Conclusion

In this episode, Richard Hoeg discusses actress Hellena Taylor's recent comments about the video game industry. The conversation concludes with a look at unions and the role of messengers in the digital world.

(0:00) Introduction

(2:58) Hellena Taylor Speaks (Again)

(15:51) Conclusion (Unions and Messengers)

The fight between Microsoft's Xbox division and the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has only just begun...and now everyone can tell both sides how they feel.

What will the console warriors do with this new found power? What is the US Chamber and why does it not really represent what many seem to think? And will any scuttling of the Activision deal really lead to Sony regretting it's life choices?

It's a potpourri of pandemonium...in Virtual Legality.

#Microsoft #Xbox #Activision

*** NEW MERCH LINK: https://virtuallegalityshop.myshopify.com/

*** WANT TO SUPPORT THE CHANNEL?

UTREON - https://utreon.com/c/hoeglaw/

PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/VirtualLegality

MERCH STORE - https://virtuallegalityshop.myshopify.com/

*** CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 1:37 CMA Starts A Public Process 13:23 What Did the US Chamber of Commerce Say? 24:20 Windows Central and Sony's Regret? 37:58 Conclusion (Thanks Everybody!) ***

Discussed in this episode:

PLAYLIST

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

CMA PUBLIC COMMENT

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/cma-unswayed-by-microsofts-arguments-for-activision-blizzard-acquisition

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/cma-calls-on-the-public-for-its-views-on-microsofts-acquisition-of-activision-blizzard

https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/facebook-inc-giphy-inc-merger-inquiry

US CHAMBER

https://twitter.com/JezCorden/status/1583082759664214016

https://www.uschamber.com/

https://www.uschamber.com/finance/antitrust/u-s-companies-foreign-competition-agencies-must-all-play-by-the-rules

WINDOWS CENTRAL ARTICLE

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/why-sony-could-live-to-regret-getting-the-xbox-activision-blizzard-deal-blocked

*** "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

Microsoft and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) of the United Kingdom have been trading punches over Activision and everybody's (!) got questions.

Let's go through...everything.

#Microsoft #Xbox #Activision

*** NEW MERCH LINK: https://virtuallegalityshop.myshopify.com/

*** WANT TO SUPPORT THE CHANNEL?

UTREON - https://utreon.com/c/hoeglaw/

PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/VirtualLegality

MERCH STORE - https://virtuallegalityshop.myshopify.com/

*** CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 40:59 The CMA's Official Phase I Report 4:27:43 The Microsoft Response 6:23:07 Question Time and Conclusion ***

Discussed in this episode: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/634536048fa8f5153767e533/MSFT.ABK_phase_1_decision_-_1.09.2022.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/634e5d3dd3bf7f618d8f88d1/Initial_Phase_2_submission.pdf

***

"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

In this episode, Richard Hoeg discusses the initiation of a public process by the CMA, the stance of the US Chamber of Commerce, and the possible regret of Windows Central and Sony. The episode concludes with a thank-you note to listeners.

(0:00) Introduction

(1:37) CMA Starts A Public Process

(13:23) What Did the US Chamber of Commerce Say?

(24:20) Windows Central and Sony's Regret?

(37:58) Conclusion (Thanks Everybody!)

In this episode, Richard Hoeg delves into the official Phase I report from the CMA, explores Microsoft's response, and concludes with a question and answer session.

(0:00) Introduction

(40:59) The CMA's Official Phase I Report

(4:27:43) The Microsoft Response

(6:23:07) Question Time and Conclusion

In this episode, Richard Hoeg discusses a recent Bloomberg report uncovering discrepancies in the tech world. He further explores the implications of these findings and draws conclusions based on corroborated evidence.

(0:00) Introduction

(4:21) Bloomberg Discovers Discrepancies

(16:51) Corroboration and Conclusion