Adobe hopes to satisfy regulators in the EU and UK over its acquisition of Figma. For this, the creative software giant would like to overcome regulators’ objections.
Adobe has been trying for some time to get permission from the European Commission to acquire Figma. However, the EC recently presented a list of objections to this end that Adobe must resolve before permission is granted. The deadline for a new proposal expires at the end of December this year. The EC’s final decision will follow on Feb. 5, 2024.
More specifically, the EC states that the acquisition of Figma by the creative software giant may disrupt competition in the creative software market, especially when it comes to competition in interactive product design tools and raster editing tools.
New proposal Adobe
According to Bloomberg, Adobe now wants to acquiesce to the EC’s demands with a proposal in which it promises not to include Figma in the Adobe Creative Cloud portfolio. It would also be willing to divest from Adobe XD. The latter software portfolio is an (internal) competitor to Figma.
Also restrictions in UK
Adobe is not only in dispute with the EC over its proposed acquisition of Figma. In the UK, too, this deal is under the magnifying glass of the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
In exchange for permission, this regulator wants Adobe and Figma to divest many overlapping products, including an all-in-one tool for product design. The deadline for a response from the creative software giant is Dec. 19. A final decision will follow on Feb. 25, 2024.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) is closely monitoring competition cases against Adobe in the EU and UK. The DoJ itself also has yet to approve the proposed acquisition.
Also read: European Commission shares concerns surrounding Adobe-Figma deal
2 days ago
