A US judge has temporarily blocked Microsoft from acquiring Activision Blizzard.

As reported by The Verge, US district judge Edward J Davila has issued a temporary injunction that would stop the Xbox firm from buying the Call of Duty maker. This came in the wake of the Federal Trade Commission filing a lawsuit earlier this week.

The block runs out on the fifth business day after the court rules on the FTC's filing for a preliminary injunction against the deal. In short, Microsoft can't buy Activision Blizzard until after a court hears the FTC's arguments.

“Accelerating the legal process in the US will ultimately bring more choice and competition to the gaming market,” Microsoft spokesperson David Cuddy said.

“A temporary restraining order makes sense until we can receive a decision from the Court, which is moving swiftly.”