Washington, D.C., May 28, 2025 — The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced it will require Synopsys, Inc. and Ansys, Inc. to divest key software assets to proceed with their $35 billion merger, citing serious antitrust concerns across several critical tech markets.
Under a proposed consent order, Synopsys and Ansys must sell off overlapping assets to maintain competition in the markets for semiconductor and optical simulation software tools. These tools are essential for the design and function of consumer electronics such as smartphones, cars, TVs, cameras, and fiber optic equipment.
“The FTC’s action today protects Americans from higher costs for the countless everyday products that use computer chips, LED screens, fiber optic cables, and many other high-tech components,” said Daniel Guarnera, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition.
Synopsys will divest its optical and photonic software tools, used for designing devices like LED screens, solar panels, and fiber optics. Ansys will divest PowerArtist, a tool used to measure and optimize chip power consumption during early design stages. All divested assets will be acquired by Keysight Technologies, Inc.
The divestitures aim to preserve head-to-head competition between Synopsys and Ansys, which the FTC alleges would otherwise be eliminated by the merger—leading to higher prices and reduced innovation.
The proposed order includes oversight measures, such as a monitoring trustee and provisions for transition support to Keysight. The deal has been reviewed in coordination with competition authorities in the EU, UK, Japan, and South Korea.
The public has 30 days to comment on the proposed settlement via Regulations.gov.
