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[Topher]

Topher
This suspense is delaying my free time.
Never seen a finale that takes this long.

Really? The suspense is over to me.

 

[feynoob]

GHG
We are back

 

[Thirty7ven]

I have no interest in walking you through basic things you already know while you play dumb about it.

I'm saying she could've taken more time to make a more well informed and well argued ruling instead of the rushed one, which she herself partly admits to. It's clear now that it would've made no difference if she had rules on it then or next week, or two weeks from now.

You can't say something "was real" if no consequence came of it. It was real but now it's not? Are you really trying to argue this? Like it was theoretically real then but now it's not materially real, but it was real then ya know…

 

[feynoob]

Really? The suspense is over to me.

At least, I am posting less now.
Hopefully we get a clear picture by the end of the week.

 

[Varteras]

At least, I am posting less now.
Hopefully we get a clear picture by the end of the week.

I'm about to jerk you off so you'll relax. Fuck around and find out.

 

[wolffy66]

I'm saying she could've taken more time to make a more well informed and well argued ruling instead of the rushed one, which she herself partly admits to. It's clear now that it would've made no difference if she had rules on it then or next week, or two weeks from now.

You can't say something "was real" if no consequence came of it. It was real but now it's not? Are you really trying to argue this? Like it was theoretically real then but now it's not materially real, but it was real then ya know…

It would have mattered. And it definitely impacted the CMA

 

[Thirty7ven]

This is somewhat tertiary to the main plot of this story, but Vestager's new antitrust pick isn't going great.

An American?!?!?!

 

[Punished Miku]

I'm saying she could've taken more time to make a more well informed and well argued ruling instead of the rushed one, which she herself partly admits to. It's clear now that it would've made no difference if she had rules on it then or next week, or two weeks from now.

You can't say something "was real" if no consequence came of it. It was real but now it's not? Are you really trying to argue this? Like it was theoretically real then but now it's not materially real, but it was real then ya know…

Consequences were more likely if the FTC was granted more time to stall. The stalling tactic was designed to hurt the deal, because the stalling had a chance of sinking the deal. It's not a 100% black or white thing, it's more like a probability increasing that the deal is dead. The judge had to weigh the potential negative effects on MS, which were real. The probability is much higher that the deal would be dead if FTC got their PI. In that case MS would have lost $3 billion without ever losing on the merits in court, just losing $3 billion purely because the FTC fucked them on the stalling. That's obviously not fair, and the judge knew that. And the only reason it was down to the wire was because of the FTC doing that on purpose.

 

[PaintTinJr]

Does this even say anything he didn't already say?

Maybe it is a indication that he's heard nothing from the CMA receiving an offer of "significant material difference" from Microsoft, and now the July 18th is past, he is just restating his position, and probably wants an extension announcement pronto from ATVI/MSFT and the new merger offer for the CMA.

 

[Deleted member 848825]

No news on the extension? Not even a Good Morning Gamers from LooLoo bog brush or Bobby wank tit?

 

[Thirty7ven]

Consequences were more likely if the FTC was granted more time to stall.

You believe this because MS told you to believe it. And yes we can all speculate, but fact is the deadline has passed and nothing has happened even though the deal hasn't closed.

The message continues to be that both parties want the deal to happen and will continue to work to make it happen. Regardless of deadlines.

I'm not even saying the judge had to grant the PI, that's another matter, because the PI would have stalled the deal until FTC's administrative court. What I'm saying is that she rushed the process and the ruling based on a fear tactic.

 

[Punished Miku]

You believe this because MS told you to believe it. And yes we can all speculate, but fact is the deadline has passed and nothing has happened even though the deal hasn't closed.

Nothing happened because it's done. This is why MS worked out a backroom deal with the CMA, because they were out of time and couldn't start from scratch again. They needed to be able to assure Activision that this is done. Whatever MS and CMA discussed seemingly assured them. I don't have access to secret documents saying this, but we all saw the CMA tweet out 1 hour after the FTC and we all saw how the CMA acted in court. That's the only reason nothing has happened. It's over. They are going to let CMA work through their last few weeks of procedure and then finish it, and that way the CMA doesn't lose face, and MS doesn't have to deal with consequences of more aggressive actions. MS didn't tell me anything to believe; the CMA did, in front of a CAT judge while being grilled on it.

 

[simdog461]

No news on the extension? Not even a Good Morning Gamers from LooLoo bog brush or Bobby wank tit?

Yeah not even lulu chiming in is a bit odd.

 

[Ar¢tos]

I think it was an ESG drive to reduce waste and standardise it like sockets in walls. It makes sense but I agree with Apple slightly that it may reduce innovation.

Ugh not this again!
Reduce innovation how??
USB-C is a connection type not the connection protocol used.
The limits of what the USB-C can handle are far from being achieved.

 

[Three]

Ugh not this again!
Reduce innovation how??
USB-C is a connection type not the connection protocol used.
The limits of what the USB-C can handle are far from being achieved.

I'm not talking protocols or speed. What if Apple or some other company wanted to invent a swivel magnetic connector with no socket at all? You can have innovation on the connector type.

 

[feynoob]

I'm about to jerk you off so you'll relax. Fuck around and find out.

 

[Varteras]

 

[Astray]

An American?!?!?!

Former big tech lobbyist too (Amazon, Apple and Microsoft iirc).

She also lobbied on behalf of this transaction as well:

https://news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/642/2022/12/Principles-for-platform-mergers-with-an-application-to-Microsoft-Activision.pdf

For more info

EU defends appointment of US economist in top job despite backlash

The European Commission on Friday defended its decision to appoint a US professor with links to Big Tech as the chief economist of its key competition department despite opposition from lawmakers and the French government. #EuropeNews

www.euronews.com

 

[ToadMan]

Activision stock increased like 3 or 4 percent on the day we got news from the FTC. Do people seriously think that was just a coincidence?

If a company agrees to pay $95 for something if conditions are met, wouldn't people be willing to pay $94 for it if it seemed like those conditions were going to be met? This shouldn't be that hard to understand.

No one is doing that deal - you'd make a loss after brokerage fees and taxes.

And yes Activision is doing well, diablo has been good, cod sales are surging. But the solid price of 95 requires no growth, no risk outside of regulators. It's the main reason.

Prior to that $95 price being set, ATVI had been trading in the $90s range just a few months before the merge was announced with a price base in the $60 range.

Without the $95 handcuffs, ATVI will be above $100 as soon as they announce earnings - August 2.

They may even have been above $100 now just on Nasdaq rally and the press releases surrounding the D4 launch (and resolution of harassment cases against Bobby at the beginning of the year of course).

If the stock price goes above the purchase price then they will have a interesting decision

If that happens the decision has already been made and the deal has been cancelled. That is the sign of insiders buying in before the wider market knows that the $95 MS price cap has been removed.

 

[Ar¢tos]

I'm not talking protocols or speed. What if Apple or some other company wanted to invent a swivel magnetic connector with no socket at all? You can have innovation on the connector type.

So we would need adaptors to connect the phone to literally anything that doesn't support magnetic connection?
Great idea.... Buying more junk!

The EU set USB-C because it's the one popular now, but recognize that there might be need to change in the future if another connection type becomes the new standard. USB-C should get us at least 10 years of buying less cables and chargers.

 

[simdog461]

If that happens the decision has already been made and the deal has been cancelled. That is the sign of insiders buying in before the wider market knows that the $95 MS price cap has been removed.

Wouldn't this be blatant insider trading, and hence very easy to track who's done it and then prosecute?

 

[feynoob]

Edit. Seems someone posted already

 

[Banjo64]

This document is from the 17th so isn't it just a summary of the hearing?

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

This document is from the 17th so isn't it just a summary of the hearing?

Yes.

 

[Bernoulli]

This document is from the 17th so isn't it just a summary of the hearing?

it's what i posted before
the corporate shills just want to spin anything they can

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

No news on the extension? Not even a Good Morning Gamers from LooLoo bog brush or Bobby wank tit?

The deal doesn't expire, one of the parties involved has to kill it.

 

[Three]

So we would need adaptors to connect the phone to literally anything that doesn't support magnetic connection?
Great idea.... Buying more junk!

The EU set USB-C because it's the one popular now, but recognize that there might be need to change in the future if another connection type becomes the new standard. USB-C should get us at least 10 years of buying less cables and chargers.

I agreed that it made sense and that it reduces waste. I just pointed out that I also somewhat understood that it reduces innovation slightly.

 

[Varteras]

This document is from the 17th so isn't it just a summary of the hearing?

Yeah. This isn't new. Everything described there is exactly what the judge said during that hearing. There has been no new development since.

 

[gothmog]

Kinda funny seeing people working themselves into a frenzy at this point. Bobby must be really bending Microsoft over for them to not announce an extension.

 

[Aguero9320]

Nothing happened because it's done. This is why MS worked out a backroom deal with the CMA, because they were out of time and couldn't start from scratch again. They needed to be able to assure Activision that this is done. Whatever MS and CMA discussed seemingly assured them. I don't have access to secret documents saying this, but we all saw the CMA tweet out 1 hour after the FTC and we all saw how the CMA acted in court. That's the only reason nothing has happened. It's over. They are going to let CMA work through their last few weeks of procedure and then finish it, and that way the CMA doesn't lose face, and MS doesn't have to deal with consequences of more aggressive actions. MS didn't tell me anything to believe; the CMA did, in front of a CAT judge while being grilled on it.

This is almost certainly true - all signs point to it. It just unfortunately means that the between 1-5% possibility that it's not is what's leading to some of the ridiculous fantasy collapse porn we're seeing at the moment…

 

[ToadMan]

Wouldn't this be blatant insider trading, and hence very easy to track who's done it and then prosecute?

Maybe - depends on how they got the information. Doesn't stop it happening though... I mean, it's blatant if you spend any time looking at the stock markets. Everything is manipulated either directly or indirectly by dipping in and out of grey areas of law.

Besides, there'd be a lot of casual investors seeing the news "MS ATVI deal cancelled shock!" and dumping the stock in a panic, only for it to be bought up by institutions and/or whales who paid attention to the ATVI earnings report.

But, I should reiterate this is just a thought experiment. Warren Buffet dumped the majority of his ATVI stock - that's about all I need to see for now.

 

[feynoob]

Kinda funny seeing people working themselves into a frenzy at this point. Bobby must be really bending Microsoft over for them to not announce an extension.

The moment bobby stops the extension, he better prepare his ass for jail.
Those lawsuits and harassment still waiting for him.

 

[Bernoulli]

The moment bobby stops the extension, he better prepare his ass for jail.
Those lawsuits and harassment still waiting for him.

he ain't going no where

 

[simdog461]

The moment bobby stops the extension, he better prepare his ass for jail.
Those lawsuits and harassment still waiting for him.

It's kinda disgusting how they've just magically disappeared tbh.

 

[Ar¢tos]

Can ATK walk away, collect the 3bn, and say to MS they are still interested in selling restarting negotiations from zero with a new 3bn (or more) if the sale doesn't happen?

 

[Bernoulli]

Can ATK walk away, collect the 3bn, and say to MS they are still interested in selling restarting negotiations from zero with a new 3bn (or more) if the sale doesn't happen?

yes
but they can just negotiate a higher price without walking out

 

[Thirty7ven]

Former big tech lobbyist too (Amazon, Apple and Microsoft iirc).

She also lobbied on behalf of this transaction as well:

https://news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/642/2022/12/Principles-for-platform-mergers-with-an-application-to-Microsoft-Activision.pdf

For more info

EU defends appointment of US economist in top job despite backlash

The European Commission on Friday defended its decision to appoint a US professor with links to Big Tech as the chief economist of its key competition department despite opposition from lawmakers and the French government. #EuropeNews

www.euronews.com

Incredible, and people cheer for this. Corruption in plain sight.

 

[gothmog]

The moment bobby stops the extension, he better prepare his ass for jail.
Those lawsuits and harassment still waiting for him.

I think they settled those months ago.

 

[simdog461]

Can ATK walk away, collect the 3bn, and say to MS they are still interested in selling restarting negotiations from zero with a new 3bn (or more) if the sale doesn't happen?

They could, but that would be a quick way to get Microsoft to back out.

 

[Ar¢tos]

yes
but they can just negotiate a higher price without walking out

But then they wouldn't have instant 3bn!

 

[Astray]

Incredible, and people cheer for this. Corruption in plain sight.

Apparently, MEPs were tearing Vestager a new one yesterday, particularly the French, but the issue is muddled because some are saying this blowback is happening simply because Morton isn't European.

But it's indeed sus to go from lobbying for a company to getting your work approved (with no public reports on the approval) and then getting a job offer from the people you lobbied. Something is just plainly off here.

 

[simdog461]

But then they wouldn't have instant 3bn!

But if the intention is to sell to Microsoft anyway, what's the point?

 

[Ar¢tos]

But if the intention is to sell to Microsoft anyway, what's the point?

To see how desperate MS is to get them.

 

[Roxkis_ii]

Update from CAT

I asked Bard if the CMA block is still in place.

No, the CMA block still stands. The CAT's ruling only granted an adjournment of the judicial review application. This means that the CMA's decision to block the merger is still in place, but the case will be heard at a later date.

The CMA has until July 25, 2023 to provide further evidence to the CAT. If the CMA is unable to provide satisfactory evidence, the CAT may decide to lift the block on the merger. However, if the CMA is able to provide satisfactory evidence, the CAT may decide to uphold the block.

The outcome of the case is still uncertain, and it is possible that the merger could be blocked even after the adjournment. However, the CAT's ruling is a significant victory for Microsoft and Activision, as it gives them more time to try to convince the CMA to approve the merger.

So a key condition of the merger hasn't been met.. And it's past the deadline...

 

[DR3AM]

Still no official news if the deal has been extended ?

 

[GHG]

This is somewhat tertiary to the main plot of this story, but Vestager's new antitrust pick isn't going great.

Played like a fiddle. She really said:

 

[KingT731]

I agreed that it made sense and that it reduces waste. I just pointed out that I also somewhat understood that it reduces innovation slightly.

it's one of those things where there is going to be a neg from it but the benefit is stopping Apple from ripping their customers off while reducing waste.

 

[Thirty7ven]

Apparently, MEPs were tearing Vestager a new one yesterday, particularly the French, but the issue is muddled because some are saying this blowback is happening simply because Morton isn't European.

But it's indeed sus to go from lobbying for a company to getting your work approved (with no public reports on the approval) and then getting a job offer from the people you lobbied. Something is just plainly off here.

Would the USA hire a German, a French, or a Spanish etc for this position?

Imo that is a problem in itself, it's the European Union, not the US of Europe Union.

And of course, let's hire big tech's favorite lobbyists lezzzz goooo

 

[adamsapple]

Extended to October 18th.

 

[ToadMan]

It's kinda disgusting how they've just magically disappeared tbh.

They didn't magically disappear. In the end both the SEC and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission cases were settled - SEC settled out of court so no charges against Kotick were upheld, EEOC settlement was approved by court.

They have been dealt with - no magic was required.