Apparently, Sony and Microsoft are ready for a “courtroom-style showdown” in a hearing for the Microsoft Activision Agreement next week. Microsoft has requested a hearing with the European Commission (EC) after the regulator formally objected to the acquisition.
Microsoft Activision settlement hearing set for February 21
First reported by FOSS Patents and later confirmed by Reuters, the EC has set a hearing for Tuesday, February 21, after Microsoft filed a request for oral argument. According to Reuters, the Xbox maker is expected to offer solutions to the regulator in what it calls a “last ditch effort” to get the deal approved.
Reuters did not confirm whether or not Sony would be present at the hearing, but FOSS Patents said the company will be present and the two sides are expected to have “a courtroom-style matchup.” Sony’s presence makes sense considering it’s the loudest and most important opponent to the proposed acquisition.
It is unknown whether a representative from Activision Blizzard will be present at the hearing or not.
One of Microsoft’s remedies is to offer Sony a 10-year Call of Duty contract. The UK Competition and Markets Authority seems unconvinced of this remedy and has suggested excluding Call of Duty from the acquisition.