Markets Wired

Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of Aspen Technology, Inc. Last month, the FTC announced it would modify a 2004 order against Aspen Technology, Inc. to impose additional obligations intended to restore competition in the U.S. markets for several engineering process simulation software products. The Commission’s action came after Aspen Tech failed to divest certain assets in a timely manner, as required by the agency’s 2004 order.

The Commission vote approving the final order was 3-0-1, with Commissioner J. Thomas Rosch recused and Commissioner Pamela Jones Harbour issuing a separate concurring statement that can be found on the FTC’s Web site and as a link to this press release. (FTC Docket No. D-9310; the staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2526; see press release dated July 6, 2009, at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/07/aspen.shtm.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.

(FYI 42.2009.wpd)