China gives the nod for Microsoft-Nokia merger

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China gives the nod for Microsoft-Nokia merger
Nokia is one step closer to divesting itself of its Devices and Services unit to Microsoft. China’s Ministry of Commerce has granted it approval for the merger which we have been following since its announcement last September.

With that hurdle overcome, China joins the US Department of Justice, the European Commission, and several other governments in approving the transaction. The only notable hold out at the moment is India, which is embroiled with the Finnish company over taxes and a seized factory in Chennai.

China’s approval of the merger is certainly a welcome development for Nokia and Microsoft, however, as there were concerns raised by the Chinese government, as well as several Chinese manufacturers, about what might happen to fees for patents that Nokia will retain ownership of after the deal with Microsoft closes. Samsung and Google also shared similar concerns in China. Such issues dragged out the Ministry’s approval of the deal over a period of months.

Nokia continues to state that it expects the transaction with Microsoft to close sometime this month.

source: Nokia


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