The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has objected to Adobe's acquisition of graphic design company Figma, adding to the EU and US concerns about the deal. The UK competition authority has objected to Adobe’s proposed $20 billion acquisition of cloud-based design company Figma, on grounds that it might stifle innovation. According to the results of an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Adobe’s refusal to provide concessions to alleviate worries about the deal has led to findings that the acquisition would eliminate competition and remove Figma as a threat to Adobe’s main products, Photoshop and Illustrator. Last year, Adobe revealed its intention to acquire Figma, whose platform is designed to enable collaborative app and website design, for $20 billion. Figma is viewed as a significant competitor to Adobe in the design software arena. “Adobe and Figma are two of the world leading providers of software for app and web designers, and our investigation so far has found that they are close competitors,” Margot Daly, chair of the independent group conducting the UK investigation, said in a news release on Tuesday The CMA is considering ways to address its concerns about the merger. Possible remedies include stopping the merger completely or requiring Adobe to sell off parts of its business that overlap with Figma’s, especially in areas where the deal might reduce competition. The investigation into Adobe’s bid isn’t finished yet. Besides the UK’s CMA, the EU and the U.S. Department of Justice are also looking into Adobe’s move to acquire Figma. The EU recently sent Adobe a formal complaint regarding competition concerns, and there were reports that the US Department of Justice might sue to stop the deal. The CMA has given a preliminary decision, pointing out the main problems that must be fixed for the deal to go through. Now, the CMA will ask for opinions on these issues and their possible solutions. Adobe and Figma have until December 19 respond before the CMA makes its final decision on February 25th next year. “The challenge will now be for the merging parties to persuade the competition regulators that they have got the analysis wrong in their provisional assessments,” Alex Haffner, competition partner at UK law firm Fladgate, said in a statement to the media. “Or, more likely, to come up with a package of remedies which can satisfy their stated concerns.” Related content analysis With three zero-days, it’s a patch-now Patch Tuesday for May This is one of those months where it’s important to roll out Microsoft’s latest round of fixes as soon as you can. By Greg Lambert May 17, 2024 9 mins Microsoft Windows 10 Windows Security opinion Review: The M4 iPad Pro — an amazing AI PC Light, thin, and indiscreetly powerful, Apple's new iPad Pro will be seen as more than just a tablet once Apple introduces genAI in iPadOS. By Jonny Evans May 17, 2024 11 mins iPad Apple iOS news Citrix parent mulls selling ShareFile amid streamlining efforts The disinvestment of ShareFile is seen as a strategic move by Cloud Software Group to refocus on its core competencies. By Gyana Swain May 17, 2024 3 mins Citrix Systems Collaboration Software news Google brings Gemini AI to the classroom Google is making its Gemini AI assistant available for Workspace for Education customers beginning on May 23. By Matthew Finnegan May 17, 2024 4 mins Education Industry Generative AI Google Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe