The legal dealings regarding Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of video game giant Activision Blizzard (“Call of Duty,” “Candy Crush”) are about to get rather interesting as the tech giant has reportedly served PlayStation manufacturer Sony Interactive Entertainment with a subpoena.
VGC reports that according to a court filing, Microsoft wants Sony to divulge details of PlayStation’s game production pipeline in an effort to build a defence against the antitrust lawsuit filed last month by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in a bid to stop the deal.
Microsoft believes the information is relevant to its case and could include confidential details that Sony would be reluctant to share with its rival if possible.
The filing reportedly says “negotiations between SIE and Microsoft as to the scope of SIE’s production and a discovery schedule are ongoing”. Sony apparently has until this Friday to limit, stop or respond to the subpoena.
The FTC and Sony have expressed worries the deal could significantly reduce PlayStation’s ability to compete. In their responses, Microsoft and Activision have argued that their merger would be pro-competitive and benefit consumers by making the “Call of Duty” publisher’s games more widely available.
A decision on the acquisition is due to be decided by April. Earlier this month, the FTC reportedly said that there had been no ‘substantive’ settlement talks with Microsoft over the proposed acquisition, and if things go to trial, it will likely take place in August.
Source: Video Games Chronicle, VG Chatrz
