Both Microsoft and Activision have UK companies. UK is blocking Microsoft UK from purchasing Activision's UK companies.
So spin Activision UK off?
Readit Newsjoshgree8888888 commented on Microsoft / Activision deal prevented to protect innovation and choice in gaming gov.uk/government/news/mi... · Posted by u/impish9208
They can issue fines to Microsoft UK and ultimately block Microsoft from the market.
UK is 67 million people, so not as big as USA and EU, but significant enough that in balance it’s not worth the perpetual multi-year headache that Microsoft would have explaining the situation to shareholders if they were not to comply.
They would never be allowed to block Microsoft from the market though - the NHS runs on windows, and basically every other arm of our government - surely the fines wouldn't ever be more than the gain due to the merger?
Can someone explain to me how a UK regulator has the power to block a merger between two US companies - I get that they can say its blocked - but what kind of powers do they have to enforce it from not happening?