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Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson
Apple Gets a Patent War for Christmas, Europe's Ability to Hijack the Regulatory Process, Systemic Questions After Adobe-Figma
Dec 20, 2023
Apple's patent war, EU regulatory regime expansion, concerns over Adobe-Figma acquisition, and the impact of difficult tech mergers on the startup ecosystem are discussed in this episode.
01:13:20
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Quick takeaways
- The termination of the $20 billion merger between Adobe and Figma by EU regulators highlights concerns over anti-competitive behavior and potential harm to innovation in the design software market.
- The power of EU regulators to influence deals involving US companies raises broader structural questions regarding international regulation and the impact on future acquisitions and mergers in the technology sector.
Deep dives
EU regulators terminate Adobe-Figma merger
Regulators in the UK and EU forced the termination of a $20 billion merger between Adobe and Figma, citing concerns over anti-competitive behavior and potential harm to innovation. Figma, a fast-growing product design platform, was valued at $10 billion and seen as a rival to Adobe's XD application. The EU regulators' worry was that Adobe's dominance in the design software market could stifle Figma's independent growth and innovation. The termination of the deal requires Adobe to pay Figma a $1 billion reverse termination fee in cash.
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