Microsoft barred by UK regulator from increasing Activision stake
Michael Buckner/Getty Images Entertainment

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is prohibited from acquiring an interest in Activision (NASDAQ:ATVI) without the consent of the UK's antitrust authority, after the regulator moved to block the $69 billion deal last month.
Activision (ATVI) is also restricted by acquiring an interest in Microsoft (MSFT), according to an interim order published by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority on Thursday.

The moves come after UK regulator blocked Microsoft's planned Activision deal last month,
citing concerns about cloud gaming.

Reuters on Wednesday reported that the European Commission is set to approve the $69 billion videogame deal next week, likely on Monday.

Activision (ATVI) CEO Bobby Kotick late last month said that the UK antitrust regulator's decision to block the videogame giant's sale to Microsoft (MSFT) was a "flawed ruling in every respect."