The Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly voiced its opposition to Adobe’s proposed $20 billion acquisition of Figma, a cloud-based design platform. According to sources familiar with the matter, the DOJ’s Antitrust Division is concerned that the acquisition could harm competition in the digital design space.
Figma is a popular tool used by designers for creating user interfaces, websites, and apps. The platform allows designers to collaborate in real-time, and has gained a significant user base in recent years. Adobe, on the other hand, is a software giant known for its Creative Cloud suite, which includes popular design tools like Photoshop and Illustrator.
The potential acquisition of Figma would give Adobe access to a new segment of the design market, as well as a new set of customers. However, the DOJ’s opposition suggests that the acquisition could be seen as anti-competitive, as it would give Adobe a dominant position in the digital design space.
Adobe has not yet commented on the DOJ’s opposition to the acquisition. However, sources suggest that the company is likely to challenge the DOJ’s stance, arguing that the acquisition would not harm competition and would instead benefit users by creating a more comprehensive design platform.
This is not the first time that the DOJ has opposed a major tech acquisition. In recent years, the DOJ has opposed mergers and acquisitions involving companies like Facebook, Google, and Amazon, citing concerns about competition and monopolies in the tech industry. Whether the DOJ’s opposition will ultimately scuttle Adobe’s acquisition of Figma remains to be seen.
