Synopsys offers remedies to address EU concerns over Ansys deal (updated)
10/12/2024 11:22
(Adds details of EU process, Synopsys remedy)
By Foo Yun Chee
BRUSSELS, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Chip design software
company Synopsys SNPS.O has offered remedies to address EU
antitrust concerns about its $35 billion cash-and-stock
acquisition of engineering software maker Ansys ANSS.O ,
according to a European Commission filing on Tuesday.
The deal, announced in January, is the biggest in the
technology sector since chipmaker Broadcom's AVGO.O $69
billion swoop on software maker VMware in November 2023.
The EU competition enforcer, which did not disclose details
of the proposed remedies in line with its policy, set a Jan. 10
deadline for its decision. It may seek feedback from rivals and
customers on the concessions before deciding whether to accept
them or demand more.
It could also open a four-month investigation after its
preliminary review if it has serious concerns.
Synopsys said in September it would sell its optical design
tool maker Optical Solutions Group to design and emulation
company Keysight Technologies, subject to the closing of the
Ansys deal.
The Commission last month sought feedback from rivals and
customers on the deal, with the focus on electronic design
automation (EDA) software, services and hardware used to design
chips and whether such tools are able to interoperate with
rivals, according to a Commission document seen by Reuters.
The EU watchdog also asked whether EDA vendors bundle their
products for sale.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee. Editing by Louise Heavens and Mark
Potter)
((foo.yunchee@thomsonreuters.com; +32 2 585 2866; Reuters
Messaging: foo.yunchee.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))