Microsoft has Forced Sony into Disclosing Some of its Trade Secrets

The most recent installment of the tale, Microsoft’s effort to acquire Activision Blizzard, mandates that Sony hand over many trade secrets to its gaming competition.

The ruling, which Game Rant discovered despite coming from the FTC, accepts Microsoft’s request for Sony to provide information. This occurs despite Sony’s repeated objections to the information’s disclosure.

As a result of this decision, Sony must now provide Microsoft with information on exclusivity agreements and four years’ worth of different corporate data going back to January 1, 2019. Microsoft is certain that these documents will support its argument for why the acquisition should be approved.

Despite the subpoena’s overall success, Microsoft must get all required documents. Many of the accusations that Sony asked to have dismissed were either rejected or only partially upheld. For instance, Microsoft first demanded copies of all content license contracts in effect as of January 1, 2012. The FTC partially sided with Sony’s contention that combing through more than 150,000 contracts by hand would be excessive.

Sony has been the main opponent of the proposed takeover for the past year and a half. Sony claims that the $69 billion acquisition breaks antitrust laws and will harm the gaming sector. Since the battle started, Microsoft has been attempting to establish its case for why it should be permitted to acquire Activision Blizzard. The Redmond, Washington-based company even struck agreements with businesses like Nintendo and Nvidia to make Activision Blizzard games available on those platforms.

According to a recent article, in addition to Microsoft’s successful subpoena against Sony, the agreements with Nvidia and Nintendo discussed above are “expected to address EU antitrust concerns.”