US court refuses FTC request to pause Microsoft deal for Activision

FILE PHOTO: Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard's games characters in this illustration taken January 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. federal court rejected the Federal Trade Commission's request that it order Microsoft to temporarily hold off on closing its $69 billion purchase of "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard, according to a court filing.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Sandra Maler)