Tag: Technology

MSC settled charges that its 1999 acquisitions of Universal Analytics, Inc. and Computerized Structural Analysis & Research Corp. eliminated competition between the three firms in the development and application of engineering software. The administrative complaint issued October 2001, alleged that the two acquisitions would eliminate competition for advanced versions of Nastran, an engineering simulation software program used throughout the aerospace and automotive industries. The consent order required MSC to divest at least one clone copy of its current advance Nastran through royalty-free perpetual, non-exclusive licenses to one or two acquirers approved by the Commission.

AOL and Time Warner Inc. settled Commission concerns relating to their proposed merger. The order requires AOL Time Warner to open its cable system to competitor internet service providers. In addition, the company is prohibited from interfering with content passed along the bandwidth contracted for by non- affiliated internet service providers; and prohibited from interfering with the ability of non- affiliated providers of interactive television services to interact with interactive signals that AOL Time Warner agreed to carry.