Salesforce.com to Press Regulators to Block Microsoft-LinkedIn Deal

Salesforce.com Inc. said it would press regulators in the U.S. and Europe to block Microsoft Corp.'s $26.2 billion acquisition of LinkedIn Corp. The deal raises antitrust issues, the company said.

"Microsoft's proposed acquisition of LinkedIn threatens the future of innovation and competition," Burke Norton, Salesforce's chief legal officer, said in a statement.

In June, Salesforce.com lost out on a bid for LinkedIn when Microsoft announced its deal to acquire the social network with a membership of over 450 million professionals.

Salesforce.com said a deal would give Microsoft exclusive control over information about LinkedIn's membership. If the deal were completed, Microsoft could deny competitors access to the data, obtaining an unfair competitive advantage.

Salesforce.com vowed to fight the deal, taking an unusually proactive and public stance early in the acquisition process.

"We intend to work closely with regulators, lawmakers and other stakeholders to make the case that this merger is anticompetitive," Mr. Norton said.

Write to Rachael King at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 29, 2016 16:15 ET (20:15 GMT)

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