Subject: Synopsys acquires Magma for $507 M cash, Rajeev's fate doubtful

Magma just put out this press release at 4:45 EST today:

    SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 30, 2011 -- Magma Design Automation Inc. (LAVA),
    blah blah blah, today announced the company has entered into definitive
    agreement to be acquired by Synopsys (SNPS), blah blah blah...

    Under the terms of the merger agreement, Synopsys will acquire Magma for
    $7.35 per Magma share in cash, resulting in a transaction value of
    approximately $507 million net of cash and debt acquired.  The closing
    of the merger is subject to customary conditions, including approval by
    Magma stockholders as well as U.S. regulators.   Blah blah blah...

My hat is off to Rajeev on this deal.  From what my readers have been saying
for the last 12 months on DeepChip, it's obvious that LAVA has been taking a
painful chunk out of SNPS SPICE sales.  Aart had to buy them to stop this.

  #2 on DAC Cheesy Must See - Magma Finesim takes Samsung from Synopsys
          http://www.deepchip.com/gadfly/gad060211.html

  Rumors of Synopsys SPICE losing to Magma FineSim at Samsung
          http://www.deepchip.com/items/0493-06.html

  Magma financial calls confirm Synopsys SPICE is losing to FineSim
          http://www.deepchip.com/wiretap/110909.html

  Synopsys appears trying to counter the Samsung/Magma SPICE rumor
          http://www.deepchip.com/wiretap/110808.html

  User sees Magma FineSim is 3x - 50x faster vs. Synopsys HSPICE
          http://www.deepchip.com/items/0490-01.html

  Magma FineSim vs. Synopsys HSPICE/CustomSim/HSIM/NanoSim/XA
          http://www.deepchip.com/items/0488-08.html

  Magma replies to Jim Hogan evaluation of the analog market
          http://www.deepchip.com/items/0487-08.html

  An interesting internal Synopsys slide; assuming that it exists
          http://www.deepchip.com/wiretap/110922.html

  Magma CHILL, Docea Aceplorer, Cyclos Cyclify as #4 hot tool at DAC
          http://www.deepchip.com/items/dac11-04.html

  Magma SiliconSmart, Nangate, Synopsys Cadabra, Prolific, Altos
          http://www.deepchip.com/items/0490-07.html

  What's the status of Cadence ETS, Magma Tekton, Extreme DA?
          http://www.deepchip.com/items/0487-02.html

  The DAC'10 users on Magma Tekton vs. Synopsys PrimeTime
          http://www.deepchip.com/items/dac10-09.html

  The DAC'10 users on Magma Titan vs. Cadence Virtuoso
          http://www.deepchip.com/items/dac10-10.html

It's unclear whether or not Rajeev and his LAVA management staff are joining
SNPS or will be suddenly "pursuing other opportunities", but with Aart's
long running personal dislike of Rajeev,

     Venting about Aart vs. Rajeev EDAC'11 CEO "Forecast" Panel
          http://www.deepchip.com/wiretap/110407.html

     The Magma CEO was oddly missing from DAC'09 CEO panel
          http://www.deepchip.com/wiretap/090611.html

     Cooley predicts Synopsys-Magma lawsuit a draw; no win for SNPS
          http://www.deepchip.com/wiretap/070301.html

     Yup, I predicted Synopsys-Magma lawsuit outcome almost exactly!
          http://www.deepchip.com/items/0464-02.html

many suspect that Rajeev, after a short transition period, will most likely
be quietly let go from SNPS with a usual non-compete clause that keeps him
out of EDA for the next 5 years.  It'll be sad to see him go.

    - John Cooley
      DeepChip.com                               Holliston, MA

P.S. I'd like to hear from my readers what they think of this SNPS-LAVA merger.
     Is it good news for you?  Bad news?  Neutral?  And why do you think this?

P.P.S. And say "Keep Me Anon" if you need to be anonymous.