FTC faces uphill battle in Microsoft/Activision appeal

FILE PHOTO: Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard's games characters in this illustration taken January 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) bid to temporarily block Microsoft's $69 billion purchase of "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard must clear some key hurdles to succeed, legal experts said.

U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to the largest-ever gaming industry deal, rejecting the Biden administration's contention that it would hurt consumers, but prompting the FTC to appeal.