CRA advised counsel to Synopsys, Inc. in its acquisition of Magma Design Automation Inc., a provider of chip design software. Both firms provide electronic design automation used by semiconductor designers and are the leading producers in several software categories. CRA advised Synopsys throughout a review by the FTC. CRA economists analyzed previous mergers in this industry and found no evidence that, in similar mergers, the combined firms were able to exercise pricing power. CRA’s analysis also revealed a long history of new product entry in the market segments of Magma’s primary products, mitigating any competitive concerns the FTC may have had.
Assessing umbrella pricing incentives
When collusive agreements involve a subset of firms in an industry, they may create the incentive and ability for firms that are not participants in the cartel...