US Senators Seek To Stop Microsoft X Activision |Will They Succeed?(VL652)

Activision Blizzard's year of news appearances is almost unbelievable, but perhaps none more so than the announcement that Microsoft and Xbox is purchasing them for just under $70 BILLION in cash.

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Now, US Senators have joined the fray, advocating for the FTC to stop the deal because it harms workers efforts to better themselves and/or unionize.

But is that the real ambit of the Federal Trade Commission and antitrust law? And what is their letter *really* about?

Political grandstanding is the same all over, especially...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/Nq2ogQc1K24

#Activision #Microsoft #Senators

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction
03:05 Foundational Principles (How is this Supposed to Work?)
06:58 The Letter - Monopsony and Consumer Welfare
15:47 The Letter - A Litany of Sins
29:04 The Letter - Why Are They Writing This?
36:00 Conclusion

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Discussed in this episode:

HOEG LAW PLAYLISTS AND VIDEOS
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9PBxr5dNcoQLh2erIt2XrZ
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy_vBs7Qt9-

TWEETS AND ARTICLES
https://twitter.com/stephentotilo/status/1509633730058543117
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-senators-pressure-ftc-to-review-microsoft-activision-merger-11648741204

LAW AND LEGAL ANALYSIS
https://www.ftc.gov/advice-guidance/competition-guidance/guide-antitrust-laws/mergers/premerger-notification-merger-review-process
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/18a
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/18
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/45
https://www.justice.gov/atr/horizontal-merger-guidelines-08192010
https://www.justice.gov/atr/horizontal-merger-guidelines-08192010
https://law.stanford.edu/press/congress-hears-challenges-to-the-consumer-welfare-standard/
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_statements/1596664/agency_priorities_memo_from_chair_lina_m_khan_9-22-21.pdf
https://www.markhamlawfirm.com/the-consumer-welfare-standard-should-cease-to-be-the-north-star-of-antitrust/

GAME STATS
https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/video-games-united-states/

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"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

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Twitter: @hoeglaw
Web: hoeglaw.com