Sony Must Reveal Trade Secrets To Microsoft In Ongoing Lawsuit

Sony is not cool with Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, but this pushback means the giant Japanese video game and digital entertainment company must reveal numerous trade secrets to its American rival.

In January 2023, Microsoft subpoenaed Sony, requesting access to four years of sensitive company filings, including platform exclusivity deals, as a big piece of Sony's arguement against the deal being how Call of Duty being exclusive would be an issue. This action is part of a bigger picture, as the US Federal Trade Commission sued Microsoft to block the Activision Blizzard deal on antitrust grounds in December 2022.

The motion for disclosure was granted by administrative ruling in February 2023 — as part of a fact discovery stage in the pending trial — on the grounds it will help make a case for the defense as to why the takeover should proceed. According to the FTC, this lawsuit will determine whether or not the deal would allow Microsoft to have too much power in the industry which could (in the future) lead to antitrust issues.