Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been a tense affair thus far. Parties for and against the acquisition have been trading barbs throughout the proceedings. But, even if Microsoft remains adamant about wanting to buy one of the largest video game publishers, it's since changed its previous stance.
contained strong words against the U.S. regulatory body. The tech giant
in its response. Microsoft argued that the very structure of the FTC violates the US Constitution.
In its initial filing, Microsoft claimed the FTC lawsuit reflects improper selective enforcement of antitrust laws, referring to the proceedings as: Invalid because the structure of the Commission as an independent agency that wields significant executive power, and the associated constraints on removal of the Commissioners and other Commission officials, violates Article II of the U.S. Constitution and the separation of powers. The tech giant is alleging that "procedures arbitrarily subject Activision to administrative proceedings rather than to proceedings before an Article III judge in violation of Activision's right to Equal Protection under the Fifth Amendment."