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| WoodenPints said: Honestly I don't understand most of the stuff going on but every bit of info that comes from the CMA seems to be making things worse for consumers for who they exist to protect. Edit:I guess the post above shows the market like the proposals so it's probably a good thing lol |
This deal is going through, Idas called it weeks ago that this exact scenario would happen, others with knowledge in the area aren't surprised either, according to the Financial Times, Microsoft expected it as well. The market is also happy with the proposals. The CMA needs their "win" and need to look tough, they got it. This revised structural agreement has been in talks between the CMA/Microsoft for months now, the CMA almost certainly assured Microsoft that they would be happy with this structural remedy but Microsoft didn't have it complete until now.
There's really no way the CMA can block it now, it's essentially a divestment of CoD (not just CoD, all of ABK IP) rights for 15 years and even after those 15 years, all previous licenses to ABK titles released within and before those 15 years still remain with Ubisoft. If the CMA wanted to block it, they'd just block it now, or they would make the Phase 1 end after Microsoft's final extension date, instead it ends exactly on the same date, that isn't a coincidence, the CMA even told CAT that they can do a fast tracked Phase 1.
CAT seem to believe that this is a done deal as well. If CMA come back with nothing after assuring them it would be almost certainly enough and there's no reason to go to court anymore then CAT will be livid at the CMA, Lol. The issue is that the CMA can't just approve the deal, they have to follow procedure and Microsoft's change to the deal is so drastic that it basically constitutes as a new deal that requires a fresh investigation, asking market participants their opinions and assessing the impact to the market, it is not the same deal that Microsoft originally proposed anymore.
There's a chance the EC may re-open the investigation because the deal has changed but there's zero chance the EC will block it because they are annoyed by the changes, Lol. There's no changes to the commitments that Microsoft provided to the EU. The EU only asked for EU commitments and Microsoft is still honouring those EU commitments, Ubisoft is handling WW (outside of EU). The only thing that may cause EU to re-open it is if they want more now, so they may say "okay, we want 15 years now as well" or something along those lines.
But it may actually help that it's an EU company getting this contract...
This is basically what Microsoft and others with knowledge of the situation expected. I know it's frustrating but it's procedure and going as expected.
Last edited by Ryuu96 - on 22 August 2023
