A federal appeals court decision in the Microsoft-Activision merger delivered a decisive win for vertical mergers and a practical roadmap for companies navigating antitrust scrutiny.

For counsel, the May 7 opinion in FTC v. Microsoft Corp. offers concrete guidance on how to defend and clear vertical transactions in the face of foreclosure and entrenchment concerns. Corporate departments and antitrust counsel should take note of dispositive factors underlying the ruling.

Baker Botts partner Jody Boudreault shares her thoughts in this article published on Bloomberg Law.

For a complete copy of this article (republished with permission from Bloomberg Law), please click the title link below.

Microsoft Ruling Offers an Antitrust Playbook for Vertical Deals