Microsoft’s Planned Activision Blizzard Merger Temporarily Blocked by US Judge

Microsoft’s Planned Activision Blizzard Merger Temporarily Blocked by US Judge
Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard's games characters in this illustration taken on Jan. 18, 2022. Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters
The Associated Press
Updated:

SAN FRANCISCO—Microsoft’s planned $69 billion purchase of video game company Activision Blizzard was blocked by a federal judge Tuesday, giving more time for an antitrust review of the deal.

U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in San Francisco ruled in support of a temporary restraining order sought by the Federal Trade Commission that will stop Microsoft from closing the deal.