US asks appeals court to pause Microsoft deal
WASHINGTON: The US Federal Trade Commission on Thursday asked an appeals court to temporarily stop Microsoft from closing its $69 billion purchase of "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard, just hours after a federal judge rejected a similar request. The San Francisco federal court had ruled in favor of Microsoft on Tuesday, saying the FTC had failed to show the deal would be illegal under antitrust law. The FTC appealed that loss late on Wednesday, and Microsoft said it would fight that appeal. On Thursday evening, the FTC filed an emergency motion to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals asking for a "temporary pause " on Microsoft's closing of its planned deal to buy Activision. Any outstanding regulatory hurdle makes it more likely the agreement between Microsoft and Activision will expire on July 18 without the deal having been completed. After July 18, either company will be free to walk away unless they negotiate an ex...