Virtual Legality

The Internet is full of conspiracy theories. But when European Commission regulator Ricardo Cardoso told the world what the EC was going to do in Microsoft x Activision *BEFORE* the in-depth investigation had even begun...it's difficult to frame it as simply a theory.

Optics matter...in Virtual Legality.

#Microsoft #Xbox #Activision

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*** CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction (Thanks LadyEmily!) 1:25 The Tweet 4:41 Optics Matter 8:45 Mueller's Report 14:56 Spokesproblem 16:30 Conclusion

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

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

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*** Discussed in this episode:

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

TWEETS/TWITTER PROFILES https://twitter.com/RCardosoEU/status/1590043081495412736 https://twitter.com/RCardosoEU/status/1591513230358224896 https://twitter.com/RCardosoEU https://web.archive.org/web/20190423173136/https://twitter.com/RCardosoEU https://twitter.com/FOSSpatents ARTICLES/BLOGS https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2022/11/12/eu-regulator-under-fire-for-promising-call-of-duty-will-remain-on-his-playstation/?sh=559f82d42462 https://www.local10.com/news/local/2022/11/03/judges-hugs-after-parkland-school-shooters-sentencing-become-controversial/ https://www.tweaktown.com/news/89481/european-commission-responds-to-perceived-bias-in-microsoft-activision-merger/index.html http://www.fosspatents.com/2022/11/sonygate-dg-comp-faces-worst-case.html

http://www.fosspatents.com/2022/11/eu-commission-staffer-who-tweeted-about.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

When the Doom Eternal official soundtrack (OST) was released to near universal ridicule in 2020, id Software manager Marty Stratton took to reddit to explain how it was all the fault of composer Mick Gordon.

Now, some 2.5 years later Mick Gordon has joined the fight with his own tale of unpaid contracts, abuse, and mismanagement, and things are getting messy.

It's time for a musically synchronized shotgun pump...in Virtual Legality.

#doom #doometernal #ost

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

** CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction (Thanks Roketsu86!) 02:39 The Stratton Letter (2020) 20:28 The Gordon Response (2022) - Overview 46:35 The Importance of Contracts 1:06:07 Reconciliation and Betrayal 1:27:46 Recitation of Facts 1:34:05 Conclusion

*** WANT TO SUPPORT THE CHANNEL?

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

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

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

*** Discussed in this episode:

TWEET https://twitter.com/Mick_Gordon/status/1590343092598878210

REDDIT POST (2020) https://www.reddit.com/r/Doom/comments/gdg25y/doom_eternal_ost_open_letter/

ARTICLE

https://www.vg247.com/doom-eternal-soundtrack-bad-mixing

GORDON RESPONSE (2022)

https://medium.com/@mickgordon/my-full-statement-regarding-doom-eternal-5f98266b27ce

*** "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 European Commission, regulatory arm of the European Union, has finally announced that it will follow the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in elevating its evaluation of Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard to "Phase 2".

But while the reasoning given is similar. It's not identical.

Let's talk about it...LIVE.

So many phases, so little time...in Virtual Legality.

#Microsoft #Xbox #Activision

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

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*** CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 02:31 Examining the EU's Phase 2 Reasoning 22:11 The EU's Quote 24:45 Q&A 31:21 Conclusion *** Discussed in this episode: *** "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

Things take time. It's not a fun fact, but it's true. When Microsoft signed to purchase ("Call of Duty" maker) Activision they said they "expected" for the deal to close sometime before June 30, 2023.

But that's a long time. A long time for speculation. A long time for innuendo. As the New York Post and WCCFTech have found.

Let's talk about it.

Today, mere journalism is loosed upon the world...in Virtual Legality.

#Microsoft #Xbox #Activision

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

*** CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction (Thanks FalkusVipus!) 2:06 A Game of Telephone 11:56 Insiders and Analysts 31:11 Mergers and Penalties 38:29 Conclusion

*** WANT TO SUPPORT THE CHANNEL?

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

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

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

*** Discussed in this episode:

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

ARTICLES https://wccftech.com/activision-blizzard-merger-with-microsoft-could-fall-apart-according-to-insiders/

https://wccftech.com/activision-blizzard-has-been-acquired-by-microsoft-for-70-billion/

https://nypost.com/2022/11/06/activision-insiders-fret-69b-microsoft-merger-could-crumble/

MICROSOFT DEAL DOCUMENTS

https://news.microsoft.com/2022/01/18/microsoft-to-acquire-activision-blizzard-to-bring-the-joy-and-community-of-gaming-to-everyone-across-every-device/

https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=%2FArchives%2Fedgar%2Fdata%2F0000718877%2F000110465922005154%2Ftm223212d3_8k.htm

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718877/000110465922005154/tm223212d3_ex2-1.htm

*** "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 European Commission, regulatory arm of the European Union, seems to be walking the same path as the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in its evaluation of Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

But this isn't news.

Let's talk about why not.

Repetition is the branding iron of knowledge...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 1:27 EU Looks to Escalate 10:44 PC Gamer Escalates a Bit More 17:44 What Even is Phase II? 26:05 Conclusion

*** Discussed in this episode:

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

ARTICLES https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-to-launch-advanced-microsoft-activision-probe-after-no-remedies-issued/

https://www.pcgamer.com/eu-is-about-to-launch-an-advanced-probe-into-the-microsoft-activision-deal-sources-say/

https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-wants-know-if-microsoft-will-block-rivals-after-activision-deal-2022-10-06/

LAW (SUMMARY)

https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/6-578-2386

*** "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 FTC's vote on Microsoft's potential Activision deal, examining possible outcomes and the implications of FTC not seeking a preliminary injunction. He also explores the significance of consent decrees post-deal and Microsoft's strategies to appease regulators.

(0:00) Introduction and Purpose of the episode

(3:05) Audience Interaction and Breakdown of FTC's Vote

(12:16) Microsoft's Potential Savings and FTC's Leverage

(20:07) Probability of the Microsoft-Activision Deal Going Through

(33:20) What Happens if the FTC Blocks the Deal

(46:15) FTC's Decision Not to Seek a Preliminary Injunction

(58:23) Pros and Cons of the FTC Lawsuit

(1:20:27) Significance of FTC not filing for Preliminary Injunction

(1:37:00) Understanding Consent Decrees Post-Deal

(2:01:36) Microsoft's Strategy to Appease Regulators

(2:27:23) Closing Remarks and Appreciation for Viewers' Support

In this episode, Richard Hoeg discusses Microsoft's latest announcement, Nintendo's unique position in the market, and Phil Spencer's interview with the Washington Post. He also analyzes an article from The New York Times and talks about Steam's new policies.

(0:00) Introduction (Thanks, LadyEmily)

(1:47) MS Makes Its Announcement

(4:35) Nintendo's Special Place

(15:21) Phil Spencer Talks to the Washington Post

(20:54) The New York Times Has Thoughts

(34:13) Steam Opens Up

(40:41) Conclusion

In this episode, Richard Hoeg delves into the current state of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), discusses Microsoft's recent conversation with the Wall Street Journal, and wraps up with a thoughtful conclusion.

(0:00) Introduction (Thanks, Roketsu86!)

(1:51) The Story So Far...

(5:03) Enter the CWA

(27:03) MS Talks to the Wall Street Journal

(53:32) Conclusion

In this episode, Richard Hoeg discusses Microsoft's readiness to fight legal battles, the FTC's current state of play, and issues within the FTC. He also revisits the Bloomberg report and concludes with a discussion on the Communications Workers of America.

(0:00) Introduction

(1:17) Microsoft is Ready to Fight (Bloomberg)

(6:01) The FTC's...State of Play

(11:23) Back to Bloomberg

(17:48) FTC Problems

(23:14) Rift at the FTC (NYP)

(45:38) CWA and Conclusion

In this episode, Richard Hoeg discusses the recent statements from Smash World Tour, the alleged "assurances" given by Nintendo, and explores some of the legal possibilities surrounding these developments.

(0:00) Introduction

(3:04) Smash World Tour Speaks

(20:42) Nintendo Allegedly Lays Out Its "Assurances"

(42:25) (Some of) the Legal Possibilities

(1:00:27) Conclusion