Microsoft was hit on Tuesday in US court docket with a non-public shopper lawsuit claiming the expertise firm’s $69 billion (roughly Rs. 5,71,200 crore) bid to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard will unlawfully squelch competitors within the online game business.

The criticism filed in federal court docket in California comes about two weeks after the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a case with an administrative legislation decide in search of to cease Microsoft, proprietor of the Xbox console, from finishing the largest-ever acquisition within the video-gaming market.

The personal lawsuit additionally seeks an order blocking Microsoft from buying Activision. It was filed on behalf of 10 online game gamers in California, New Mexico and New Jersey.

The proposed acquisition would give Microsoft “far-outsized market power in the video game industry,” the criticism alleged, “with the ability to foreclose rivals, limit output, reduce consumer choice, raise prices, and further inhibit competition.”

A consultant for Microsoft didn’t instantly touch upon Tuesday. After the FTC sued, Microsoft President Brad Smith mentioned, “We have complete confidence in our case and welcome the opportunity to present our case in court.”

In an announcement, plaintiffs’ lawyer Joseph Saveri in San Francisco mentioned, “As the video game industry continues to grow and evolve, it’s critical that we protect the market from monopolistic mergers that will harm consumers in the long run.”

Private plaintiffs can pursue antitrust claims in US court docket, even whereas a associated US company case is pending. The takeover, introduced in January, additionally faces antitrust scrutiny within the European Union.

The FTC beforehand mentioned it sued to cease “Microsoft from gaining control over a leading independent game studio.” The company mentioned the merger would hurt competitors amongst rival gaming platforms from Nintendo and Sony Group.

© Thomson Reuters 2022