Reprogramming Antitrust: FTC v. Microsoft Corp

Abstract

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an independent government agency tasked with enforcing federal consumer protection laws to prevent fraud and unfair business practices, as well as enforcing federal antitrust practices that prohibit mergers and other practices that create monopolies or reduce competition within business sectors. Antitrust legislation acts as a safeguard against issues such as high pricing, fewer options, or decreased innovation. Through the analysis of various sources, it is apparent that a vertical merger within the computer software industry can foster more opportunities for innovation as the field becomes more adaptable, despite the current climate surrounding acquisitions. Although some mergers may require regulatory intervention, the future of digital content production and entertainment holds endless possibilities. Microsoft had attempted to merge with Activision Blizzard, Inc., an interactive entertain- ment company concerned with producing and publishing video games, and despite speculation in the case of Federal Trade Commission v. Microsoft Corp (2023), the merger does not violate antitrust laws. Instead, it promotes innovation, broadens access, and strengthens the digital entertainment market without significantly reducing competition.