The U.K.'s competition watchdog has opened a detailed investigation into Adobe's $20B acquisition of Figma, a cloud-based designer platform.

 

The U.K.'s competition watchdog has opened a detailed investigation into Adobe's $20B acquisition of Figma, a cloud-based designer platform.  Adobe and Figma declined to make concessions to address the U.K.'s antitrust concerns, resulting in the "phase 2" probe. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is concerned that the deal would reduce competition and choice for digital designers and competition in screen design software. The CMA gave Adobe a deadline of early July to submit proposals to address the concerns, but the company chose not to do so. Independent experts will now determine if the merger reduces competition in design software. The investigation is expected to conclude by Dec. 27. The deal also faces scrutiny in the U.S. and the EU, which is expected to issue its decision by Aug. 7.