Activision officials must face claims over Microsoft takeover, judge rules

By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -A Delaware judge said former Activision Blizzard officials including Chief Executive Bobby Kotick must face most of a lawsuit alleging they shortchanged shareholders when Microsoft bought the "Call of Duty" game maker for $75.4 billion. Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick of the Delaware Chancery Court said on Thursday the shareholders in the proposed class action can pursue their "core" claim that Kotick and other Activision directors breached their fiduciary duties. She dismissed two claims against Microsoft. Shareholders led by Swedish pension fund Sjunde AP-Fonden accused Kotick of rushing into the merger so he could keep his job and $400 million of change-of-control benefits, and insulate himself from claims he knew about widespread sexual harassment at Activ