Edgar Filing: SYNOPSYS INC

Definitive Proxy Statement

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

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¨	Preliminary Proxy Statement

¨	Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

x	Definitive Proxy Statement

¨	Definitive Additional Materials

¨	Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

LOGO

Synopsys, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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LOGO

NOTICE OF 2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

April 3, 2012

Dear Stockholder,

You are cordially invited to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Synopsys, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which will be held on April 3, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time at our office located at 1030 West Maude Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94085. We are holding the meeting for the following purposes, which are more fully described in the attached Proxy Statement:

To elect nine directors nominated by our Board of Directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors have been elected.

To approve an amendment of our 2006 Employee Equity Incentive Plan to, among other items, increase the number of shares available for issuance under that plan by 5,000,000 shares.

To approve an amendment of our Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance under that plan by 5,000,000 shares.

To hold an advisory vote on executive compensation.

To ratify the selection of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2012.

To consider any other matters that may properly come before the meeting.

All of our stockholders of record at the close of business on February 8, 2012 are entitled to attend and vote at the annual meeting. A list of registered stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available at our office located at 700 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043, for ten days prior to the meeting and at the meeting location during the meeting.

Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, we urge you to cast your vote. For most items being put to a vote, if you do not provide voting instructions via the Internet, by telephone, or by returning the proxy card or voting instruction card, your shares will not be voted. Please vote as promptly as possible. Every stockholder vote is important.

Sincerely yours,

LOGO

Brian E. Cabrera

Vice President, General Counsel and

Corporate Secretary

Mountain View, California

February 17, 2012

Important Notice Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials

for the Annual Meeting to Be Held on April 3, 2012

The Proxy Statement and our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K will be available at

http://materials.proxyvote.com/871607 on or about February 21, 2012.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


	Page
About the Annual Meeting		1
Proposal 1—Election of Directors		7
Proposal 2—Approval of an Amendment of our 2006 Employee Equity Incentive Plan		11
Proposal 3—Approval of an Amendment of our Employee Stock Purchase Plan		26
Proposal 4—Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation		33
Proposal 5—Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		34
Fees and Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		34
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures		34
Executive Compensation and Related Information		36
Compensation Discussion and Analysis		36
Summary Compensation Table		52
Grants of Plan-Based Awards		54
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2011 Year-End		56
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2011		59
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation		60
Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change of Control		62
Director Compensation		65
Corporate Governance		67
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management		74
Equity Compensation Plan Information		76
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance		78
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation		78
Compensation Committee Report		78
Audit Committee Report		79
Other Matters		79
Appendix A—2006 Employee Equity Incentive Plan		A-1
Appendix B—Employee Stock Purchase Plan		B-1

LOGO

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE 2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON APRIL 3, 2012

We are providing these proxy materials to you in connection with Synopsys’ 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time at our office located at 1030 West Maude Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94085 (referred to in this Proxy Statement as the Annual Meeting).

This Proxy Statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote on the matters brought before the Annual Meeting. Please read it carefully.

ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

Q:	Why did I receive a notice about Synopsys, Inc.’s proxy materials?

If you owned common stock of Synopsys, Inc. at the close of business on February 8, 2012, the Record Date, you are considered a stockholder. Our Board of Directors is soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, we are providing you with access to our proxy materials in order to solicit your vote at the Annual Meeting.

The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, this Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy card or voting instruction form and our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K were distributed and made available on or about February 21, 2012.

Q:	Why did I receive a two-page notice instead of the proxy materials themselves and how can I get the materials?

We are pleased to continue to take advantage of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule that allows companies to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders over the Internet. As a result, we are mailing to most of our stockholders a two-page Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials instead of a printed copy of all of the proxy materials. The Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials you received provides instructions on how to access and review our proxy materials and submit your vote on the Internet and also instructs you on how to request a printed copy of our proxy materials. We believe this process of sending a two-page notice reduces the environmental impact of printing and distributing hard copy materials and lowers the costs of such printing and distribution.

Q:	Why did I receive a full set of proxy materials in the mail instead of a two-page notice?

If you previously requested printed copies of the proxy materials, we have provided you with printed copies of the proxy materials instead of a two-page Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials. If you would like to reduce the environmental impact and the costs incurred by us in mailing proxy materials, you may elect to receive all future proxy materials electronically via email or the Internet.

To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions to vote using the Internet provided with your proxy materials and on your proxy card or voting instruction form, and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access stockholder communications electronically in the future.

Q:	What proposals will be presented at the Annual Meeting and what are the voting recommendations of the Board of Directors?

A:	The proposals that will be presented at the Annual Meeting and our Board’s voting recommendations are set forth in the table below:


Proposal		Board’s Voting Recommendation
1. To elect nine directors nominated by our Board of Directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors have been elected		For all nominees
2. To approve an amendment of our 2006 Employee Equity Incentive Plan to, among other items, increase the number of shares available for issuance under that plan by 5,000,000 shares		For
3. To approve an amendment of our Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance under that plan by 5,000,000 shares		For
4. Advisory vote on executive compensation		For
5. To ratify the selection of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2012		For

We will also consider any other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, we are not aware of any other matters to be submitted for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction form will vote the shares they represent using their best judgment.

Q:	When and where will the Annual Meeting be held?

A:	The Annual Meeting will be held on April 3, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time at our office located at 1030 West Maude Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94085. A map and directions are set forth on the back of this Proxy Statement.

Q:	How can I attend the Annual Meeting?

You will be admitted to the Annual Meeting if you were a Synopsys stockholder or joint holder as of the close of business on February 8, 2012, or you have authority to vote under a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. You should be prepared to present photo identification for admittance. In addition, if you are a stockholder of record, your name will be verified against the list of stockholders of record prior to admittance to the Annual Meeting. If you are a beneficial owner, you should provide proof of beneficial ownership on the Record Date, such as your most recent account statement prior to February 8, 2012, a copy of the voting instruction form provided by your broker, trustee, or nominee, or other similar evidence of ownership. If you are a stockholder who is a natural person and not an entity, you and your immediate family members will be admitted to the Annual Meeting, provided you and they comply with the above procedures.

Q:	Who can vote?

If you are a stockholder of record or a beneficial owner who owned our common stock at the close of business on the Record Date of February 8, 2012, you are entitled to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, 144,051,762 shares of our common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. You are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock you held on the Record Date. The names of stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available to stockholders entitled to vote for ten days prior to the Annual Meeting for any purpose relevant to the Annual Meeting. This list can be viewed between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at our principal executive offices at 700 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to submit your proxy.

Q:	What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a beneficial owner?

A:	Stockholder of Record: If on the Record Date your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services, then you are a stockholder of record.

Beneficial Owner: If on the Record Date your shares were held through a broker, bank, or other agent and not in your name, then you are the beneficial owner of our common stock. If you are a beneficial owner, your shares are held in street name, as is the case for most of our stockholders.

Q:	How can I vote if I am a stockholder of record?

A:	There are four ways to vote:

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In person. If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. We will provide a ballot to you when you arrive.

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Via the Internet. You may vote by proxy via the Internet by following the instructions provided in the proxy card or Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials.

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By Telephone. If you received printed copies of the proxy materials, you may vote by proxy by calling the toll free number found on the proxy card. If you only received a Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials and wish to vote by proxy over the telephone, you may do so by first requesting printed copies of the proxy materials by mail and then calling the toll free number found on the proxy card.

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By Mail. If you received printed copies of the proxy materials, you may vote by proxy by filling out the proxy card and sending it back in the envelope provided. If you only received a Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials and wish to vote by proxy via mail, you may do so by first requesting printed copies of the proxy materials by mail and then filling out the proxy card and sending it back in the envelope provided.

Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy.

Q:	How can I vote if I am the beneficial owner?

A:	There are four ways to vote:

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In person. If you are a beneficial owner and you wish to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from the organization that holds your shares. Please contact that organization for instructions regarding obtaining a legal proxy.

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Via the Internet. You may vote by proxy via the Internet by following the instructions provided in the voting instruction form or Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials.

•

By Telephone. If you received printed copies of the proxy materials, you may vote by proxy by calling the toll free number found on the voting instruction form. If you only received a Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials and wish to vote by proxy over the telephone, you may do so by first requesting printed copies of the proxy materials by mail and then calling the toll free number found on the voting instruction form.

•

By Mail. If you received printed copies of the proxy materials, you may vote by proxy by filling out the voting instruction form and sending it back in the envelope provided. If you only received a Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials and wish to vote by proxy via mail, you may do so by first requesting printed copies of the proxy materials by mail and then filling out the voting instruction form and sending it back in the envelope provided.

As a beneficial owner, you are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not a stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a legal proxy from the organization that holds your shares.

Q:	What votes can I cast for the proposals?

With respect to Proposal 1, you may either vote “For” all the nominees to our Board of Directors or you may “Withhold” your vote for any nominee you specify. With respect to Proposals 2, 3, 4 and 5, you may vote “For” or “Against”, or “Abstain” from voting. An abstention vote will have the same effect as an “Against” vote with respect to Proposal 2, Proposal 3 and Proposal 5. An abstention vote will not be counted as either a vote cast “For” or “Against” with respect to Proposal 4.

Q:	What if I don’t give specific voting instructions?

If you indicate a choice on your proxy on a particular matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted as indicated. If you are a stockholder of record and you return a signed proxy card but do not indicate how you wish to vote, the proxy holders will vote your shares in the manner recommended by our Board of Directors on all matters presented in this proxy statement and as the proxy holders may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. If you do not return the proxy card, your shares will not be voted and will not be deemed present for the purpose of determining whether a quorum exists.

If you are a beneficial owner and the organization holding your account does not receive instructions from you as to how to vote those shares, under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, that organization may exercise discretionary authority to vote on routine proposals but may not vote on non-routine proposals. As a beneficial owner, you will not be deemed to have voted on such non-routine proposals. The shares that cannot be voted by brokers on non-routine matters are called broker non-votes. Broker non-votes will be deemed present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists for the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes will make a quorum more readily obtainable but will not otherwise affect the outcome of the vote of any proposal.

Q:	Which proposals in this Proxy Statement are considered “routine” or “non-routine”?

The ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2012 (Proposal 5) is a matter considered routine under applicable rules. A broker or other nominee may generally vote on routine matters, and therefore no broker non-votes are expected to exist in connection with Proposal 5.

The election of directors (Proposal 1), the proposal to amend our 2006 Employee Equity Incentive Plan (Proposal 2), the proposal to amend our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal 3) and the advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal 4) are matters considered non-routine under applicable rules. A broker or other nominee cannot vote without instructions on non-routine matters, and therefore there may be broker non-votes on Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Q:	What if I change my mind and want to revoke my proxy?

If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke your proxy at any time before the Annual Meeting by delivering a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy card bearing a later date to our principal executive offices at 700 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043, attention Corporate Secretary. Such notice or later dated proxy must be received by us prior to the Annual Meeting. You may also revoke your proxy by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

If you are a beneficial owner, please contact your broker, bank or other agent for instructions on how to revoke your proxy.

Q:	What is a quorum?

We need a quorum of stockholders to hold our Annual Meeting. A quorum exists when at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote as of the Record Date are represented at the Annual Meeting either in person or by proxy. Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if a valid proxy or vote is submitted. Stockholders who vote “Abstain” on any proposal and discretionary votes by brokers, banks and related agents on routine proposals will be counted towards the quorum requirement.

Q:	Who is paying for this solicitation?

Synopsys will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. We have retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. to assist us in soliciting proxies, for which we will pay D.F. King & Co. a fee of approximately $10,500 plus out-of-pocket expenses. We will also reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their reasonable expenses in forwarding solicitation material to such beneficial owners. We will furnish copies of solicitation material to such brokerage firms and other representatives. Proxies may also be solicited personally or by telephone, facsimile or email by our directors, officers and employees without additional compensation.

Q:	I received notice that communications to my address are being householded. What does that mean?

The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (for example, brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement or Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials addressed to those stockholders. A number of brokers with account holders who are our stockholders “household” our proxy materials in this manner. If you have received notice from your broker that it will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K or Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials, please notify your broker and our investor relations department in writing at 700 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043, by email at invest-info@synopsys.com or by telephone at (650) 584-4257. If you currently receive multiple copies of the Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy statement at your address and would like to request householding of your communications, please contact your broker, bank or other agent.

Q:	I also have access to Synopsys, Inc.’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Is that a part of the proxy materials?

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2011, accompanies this Proxy Statement. These documents constitute our Annual Report to Stockholders and are being made available to all stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Except as otherwise stated, the 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K is not incorporated into this Proxy Statement and should not be considered proxy solicitation material.

Q:	Where can I find the voting results of the meeting?

A:	The preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. The final results will be published in a Current Report on Form 8-K, which we will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission by April 9, 2012.

Q:	How can I make a proposal to be voted on at next year’s annual meeting of stockholders?

To be considered for inclusion in the proxy materials for next year’s annual meeting of stockholders, your proposal must be submitted in writing by October 24, 2012 to Corporate Secretary, Synopsys, Inc., 700 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043, and must comply with all applicable requirements of Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (referred to in this Proxy Statement as the Exchange Act). If you wish to submit a proposal that is not to be included in next year’s proxy materials, but that may be considered at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2013, you must do so in writing following the above instructions not earlier than the close of business on September 26, 2012 and not later than the close of business on October 24, 2012. We advise you to review our Bylaws, which contain additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations, including the different notice submission date requirements in the event our annual meeting for 2013 is held more than 30 days before or after April 3, 2013. The section titled “Director Nominations” on page 72 of this Proxy Statement provides additional information on the director nomination process.

PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

We are asking our stockholders to vote for the re-election of our directors at the Annual Meeting. Each of our directors stands for election on an annual basis; we do not have a classified or staggered Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of our Board of Directors, consisting solely of independent directors as determined by the Board under applicable NASDAQ listing standards, recommended each of our nine current directors for nomination by our full Board. Based on that recommendation, our Board of Directors has nominated those directors for election at the Annual Meeting.

Provided that there is a quorum at the Annual Meeting, the nine nominees receiving the highest number of “For” votes of the shares present in person or represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be elected as directors. In the event a nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director, the proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting for any nominee who may be designated by our Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, our Board is not aware of any nominee who is unable or will decline to serve as a director. Each director to be elected at the Annual Meeting will serve until our next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified or, if earlier, the director’s death, resignation or removal. You may either vote “For” all the nominees to our Board of Directors or you may “Withhold” your vote for any nominee you specify. Unless marked otherwise, proxies returned to us will be voted for each of the nominees named below. If you hold your shares through a bank, a broker or other holder of record you must instruct your bank, broker or other holder of record to vote so that your vote can be counted on this Proposal 1.

The election of directors pursuant to this Proposal 1 is an uncontested election. In addition to the voting requirements under Delaware law described above, our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that in an uncontested election any nominee for director who receives a greater number of votes “Withheld” from his or her election than votes “For” such election will, promptly following certification of the stockholder vote, submit to our Board of Directors a letter of resignation for consideration by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Our Board, after taking into consideration the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, will determine whether to accept the director’s resignation. Synopsys will publicly disclose the decision reached by our Board and the reasons for such decision.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU

VOTE “FOR” ALL NOMINEES.

Nominees

Set forth below is information regarding the nominees, including information they have furnished as to their principal occupations, certain other directorships they hold, or have held, and their ages as of the Record Date, February 8, 2012. The section titled “Director Qualifications” on page 71 of this Proxy Statement contains information about the nomination process and the skills and other qualifications that caused the Nominating and Governance Committee to determine that these nominees should serve as our directors. Other than Dr. de Geus and Dr. Chan, all nominees are independent as determined by the Board under the applicable listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market.


Name	Age		Director Since
Aart J. de Geus		57		1986
Alfred Castino		59		2007
Chi-Foon Chan		62		1998
Bruce R. Chizen		56		2001
Deborah A. Coleman		59		1995
Chrysostomos L. “Max” Nikias		59		2011
John Schwarz		61		2007
Roy Vallee		59		2003
Steven C. Walske		59		1991

There are no family relationships among any of the director nominees, directors and/or any of Synopsys’ executive officers.

Background and Qualifications of Nominees

Aart J. de Geus co-founded Synopsys and has served as Chairman of our Board of Directors since February 1998 and Chief Executive Officer since January 1994. Since the inception of Synopsys in December 1986, he has held a variety of positions, including President, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Senior Vice President of Marketing. Dr. de Geus has served as a director since 1986, and served as Chairman of our Board of Directors from 1986 to 1992 and again from 1998 until present. Dr. de Geus has also served on the board of directors of Applied Materials, Inc. since July 2007.

As a co-founder of Synopsys, Dr. de Geus has led Synopsys for 25 years, and is considered a pioneer in the Electronic Design Automation (referred to in this Proxy Statement as EDA) industry. Dr. de Geus brings to our Board a unique and thorough understanding of our business, industry and culture. He provides strong executive leadership and vision and maintains a global network of customer and industry relationships. Dr. de Geus also provides our Board with public company board experience.

Alfred Castino has been a member of our Board of Directors since May 2007. Mr. Castino has been an independent business consultant since August 2008. From August 2002 to August 2008, Mr. Castino served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Autodesk, Inc., a provider of design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Mr. Castino has also held the Chief Financial Officer position at Virage, Inc. and PeopleSoft, Inc. Mr. Castino has served on the board of directors of Digital River, Inc. since July 2010.

As the former Chief Financial Officer of Autodesk, Mr. Castino led the financial management of a large public technology company, providing our Board of Directors with executive-level expertise in the financial management of software companies and financial expertise in general. Mr. Castino understands the challenges of managing complex global organizations from his leadership positions at Autodesk, Virage and PeopleSoft, and also brings public company board experience to our Board.

Chi-Foon Chan has served as our Chief Operating Officer since April 1997 and as our President and a member of our Board of Directors since February 1998. Dr. Chan joined Synopsys in May 1990 and has held various senior management positions, including Executive Vice President, Office of the President from September 1996 to February 1998 and Senior Vice President, Design Tools Group from February 1994 to April 1997. Dr. Chan has also held senior management and engineering positions at NEC Electronics and Intel Corporation.

Dr. Chan brings to our Board of Directors senior executive-level leadership, strategic, and operational expertise with Synopsys as well as the EDA industry. Dr. Chan has been with Synopsys for over 20 years and has served as our Chief Operating Officer and President for over 13 years, which provides our Board with a thorough understanding of our business, operations and technology strategies. He has extensive knowledge of the overall EDA industry landscape, and he provides particular expertise in the Asia-Pacific region. Dr. Chan also provides our Board extensive research and development and engineering experience in the semiconductor industry gained from his leadership positions at NEC and Intel.

Bruce R. Chizen has been a member of our Board of Directors since April 2001. He is currently an independent consultant and has served as Senior Adviser to Permira Advisers LLP since July 2008. From November 2007 to November 2008, Mr. Chizen served as a strategic adviser to Adobe Systems Incorporated, a provider of design, publishing and imaging software for print, Internet and dynamic

media production. From December 2000 to November 2007, he served as Adobe’s Chief Executive Officer and as its President from April 2000 to January 2005 and previously held various other positions at Adobe since 1994. Mr. Chizen has served on the board of directors of Oracle Corporation since July 2008 and served on the board of directors of Adobe from December 2000 to April 2008.

Mr. Chizen has significant expertise in the management of complex global organizations. As the former Chief Executive Officer of Adobe, Mr. Chizen provides our Board of Directors with executive-level insight into the challenges associated with operating in a high technology industry and a multi-billion dollar company. Additionally, Mr. Chizen brings significant financial, product management and marketing expertise, which he gained through various leadership positions at Adobe. Mr. Chizen also provides extensive public company board experience to our Board.

Deborah A. Coleman has been a member of our Board of Directors since November 1995. Ms. Coleman is a General Partner of SmartForest Ventures, a venture capital firm, which she co-founded in June 2000. Ms. Coleman has held various senior executive-level positions throughout her career, including Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Merix Corporation, a manufacturer of printed circuit boards, and Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Operations of Apple, Inc. Ms. Coleman served on the board of directors of Applied Materials, Inc. from March 1996 to March 2009.

Ms. Coleman has significant experience leading large public technology companies. She brings to our Board of Directors executive-level management and financial expertise. Additionally, Ms. Coleman provides our Board with extensive operations and manufacturing experience through her leadership positions at Merix and Apple. Having served over ten years as a director of Applied Materials, Ms. Coleman brings extensive public company experience, as well as a thorough understanding of the semiconductor industry.

Chrysostomos L. “Max” Nikias has been a member of our Board of Directors since July 2011. Since August 2010, Dr. Nikias has served as President of the University of Southern California (USC). Dr. Nikias previously served as USC’s provost and chief academic officer from 2005 through 2010 and as dean of USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering from 2001 through 2005. From 1996 through 2001, he was the founding director of the NSF-funded Integrated Media Systems Center. Dr. Nikias has worked as a consultant for numerous corporations and the U.S. government, including the U.S. Department of Defense. Dr. Nikias is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

As President of USC, Dr. Nikias oversees the operations of a major private research university, and he brings leadership and technical expertise to our Board of Directors. Dr. Nikias has extensive experience in directing engineering research and development programs, as well as a deep understanding of global technology trends. A recognized scholar in the fields of digital signal processing and communications systems, among others, Dr. Nikias also provides our Board with broad engineering knowledge.

John Schwarz has been a member of our Board of Directors since May 2007. Since May 2010, Mr. Schwarz has served as co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Visier Inc., a business analytics software firm. Mr. Schwarz previously served on the executive board of SAP AG from March 2008 to February 2010. From September 2005 through its acquisition by SAP in January 2008, Mr. Schwarz was the Chief Executive Officer of Business Objects S.A., a provider of business intelligence software and services, and he served as the Chief Executive Officer of SAP’s Business Objects unit through February 2010. Mr. Schwarz served on Business Objects’ board of directors from January 2006 until its acquisition. Mr. Schwarz has also served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Symantec

Corporation, a provider of infrastructure security and storage management software and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Reciprocal Inc., a business-to-business e-commerce services company. Mr. Schwarz previously spent 25 years at IBM Corporation, where he was most recently General Manager of IBM’s Industry Solutions Unit. Mr. Schwarz has served as a director at Teradata Corporation since September 2010 and at SuccessFactors, Inc. from September 2010 to June 2011.

As the former Chief Executive Officer of Business Objects, Mr. Schwarz led a large international software company and brings to our Board of Directors extensive management expertise and knowledge of the software industry. Mr. Schwarz understands the complexities of leading a global organization and operating in international markets. Mr. Schwarz provides our Board with additional expertise related to strategic acquisitions, integration and operations through his leadership in Business Objects’ acquisition by SAP. Mr. Schwarz also provides our Board with public company board experience.

Roy Vallee has been a member of our Board of Directors since February 2003. Since July 2011, Mr. Vallee has served as Executive Chairman of the board of directors of Avnet, Inc., a global semiconductor/electronics products and IT distributor. From June 1998 to July 2011, Mr. Vallee served as Avnet’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors. Mr. Vallee also previously served as Avnet’s Vice Chairman, President, and Chief Operating Officer. Since February 2000, Mr. Vallee has served on the board of directors of Teradyne, Inc. Mr. Vallee also serves as a member of the Arizona Commerce Authority Executive Committee and the Advisory Council of the 12^th District Federal Reserve.

Mr. Vallee provides our Board of Directors with significant executive-level leadership expertise, as well as a thorough understanding of the semiconductor industry. Mr. Vallee has led Avnet for over 13 years, as Chairman and CEO and, currently, as Executive Chairman, and has keen insight into the challenges of managing a public technology company in a highly competitive industry. Mr. Vallee also brings public company board experience to our Board, as well as experience with economic development and government relations through his membership in the Arizona Commerce Authority and the Federal Reserve.

Steven C. Walske has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 1991. Mr. Walske has been Managing Director of Myriad Investments, LLC, a private equity firm specializing in investments in software companies, since June 2000. Mr. Walske served as Chief Business Strategist of Parametric Technology Corporation from June 2000 until June 2005. From 1986 through June 2000, Mr. Walske held several executive-level positions at Parametric Technology Corporation, including Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the board of directors. Mr. Walske served on the board of directors of BladeLogic, Inc. from November 2002 to April 2008, holding the Chairman position from 2005 to April 2008.

As a private equity investor, Mr. Walske provides our Board of Directors with financial and strategic planning expertise, as well as extensive knowledge of the software industry and other high technology industries. Having served as the former Chief Executive Officer of Parametric Technology Corporation, Mr. Walske brings product development and executive-level management expertise as well as an understanding of complex global organizations. As a long-time member of the boards of directors of Parametric and BladeLogic, Mr. Walske provides our Board with extensive public company board experience.

PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT OF OUR 2006 EMPLOYEE EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

We are asking our stockholders to approve an amendment of our 2006 Employee Equity Incentive Plan (referred to in this Proxy Statement as the 2006 Employee Plan) primarily to increase the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2006 Employee Plan by 5,000,000 shares, representing approximately 3.49% of our shares of common stock outstanding as of January 13, 2012. We are proposing the increase to enable us to continue offering effective equity compensation to our employees, allowing us to continue to take advantage of the critical motivation and retention benefits that equity compensation provides. Our Board of Directors approved this amendment (referred to in this Proposal 2 as the Amendment) in December 2011, subject to stockholder approval. If approved by our stockholders, the Amendment will become effective as of the Annual Meeting date.

Approval of the Amendment requires the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting to vote “For” this Proposal 2. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote “Against” this Proposal 2.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”

THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT OF THE 2006 EMPLOYEE PLAN.

Purpose and Background

The purpose of this Amendment is to provide us with a sufficient reserve of common stock to offer appropriate incentives to our employees. Like all technology companies, we actively compete for highly qualified employees, especially technical employees. Over the last two fiscal years, we have added almost 1,000 employees, particularly due to our acquisitions. Our equity program is a key component of our strategy to attract and retain key individuals, and the share requirements of our equity program have grown with our company. Each year the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors and our management review our overall compensation strategy and determine the allocations of cash and equity compensation in light of our pay-for-performance philosophy. We continue to believe that equity compensation is a critical component to motivate key employees and effectively aligns employee compensation with stockholder interests. The 2006 Employee Plan is the sole available plan for granting equity compensation to our employees. If the Amendment is not approved and we are unable to grant equity compensation in the future, we may need to consider other compensation alternatives, such as increasing cash compensation.

We are committed to effectively managing our equity compensation share reserve while minimizing stockholder dilution. For this reason, we carefully manage both our gross burn rate and net burn rate. Gross burn rate reflects equity awards granted during the fiscal year divided by the number of shares outstanding. Net burn rate reflects equity awards granted during the fiscal year less equity awards cancelled and returned to the plan (net equity grants), divided by the number of shares outstanding. We endeavor to ensure that our gross burn rate approximates the average rate for our peer group companies as well as for the software and services industry more generally, and that our burn rates are within the limits recommended by independent shareholder advisory groups, such as Institutional Shareholder Services (referred to in this Proxy Statement as ISS). While there are several methodologies to arrive at burn rates, using current ISS methodology, our gross burn rates for the last three years are well within the guidelines recommended by ISS. Detailed information about equity awards issued in fiscal 2011 as well as other relevant information is set forth below.

We note that the cornerstone of our compensation philosophy as discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 36 is pay for performance and in that regard, more than half of the value of the target equity grants to our named executive officers in fiscal 2011 was in

performance-based RSU grants, and the balance was in stock option grants directly linked to the appreciation of our stock price. We also note that our 2006 Employee Plan includes additional provisions that are designed to protect our stockholders’ interests and to reflect corporate governance best practices, including:

•

Stockholder approval required for additional shares. The 2006 Employee Plan does not contain an annual “evergreen” provision that provides for automatic increases of shares on an ongoing basis. The 2006 Employee Plan instead authorizes a fixed number of shares, and stockholder approval is required for any increase in the number of shares.

•

No discounted stock options or stock appreciation rights. The 2006 Employee Plan requires that all stock options and stock appreciation rights must have an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.

•

Repricing not allowed. The 2006 Employee Plan expressly prohibits the repricing of equity awards—including the cancellation and re-grant of outstanding equity awards—without prior stockholder approval.

•

Reasonable share counting provisions. In general, when awards lapse or are cancelled, the shares reserved for those awards are returned to the share reserve and become available for future awards. However, shares of common stock that are tendered to us in payment of the exercise price of an award or that are withheld to cover tax withholding obligations are not returned to our share reserve.

•

7-Year Term. All equity awards granted under the 2006 Employee Plan have a term of no more than seven years. In 2009, we amended the 2006 Employee Plan to establish seven years as the maximum permissible term for all equity awards, thereby limiting the potential for unproductive overhang.

•

Fungible Share Reserve. The 2006 Employee Plan has a fungible share reserve, which increases the rate at which the share reserve is depleted for restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, in order to minimize stockholder dilution. Furthermore, to balance the increase in shares available for issuance if the Amendment is approved, and as part of our commitment to effectively manage our share reserve, the Amendment would also reduce our share reserve more rapidly than under the current 2006 Employee Plan as full-value awards are issued. If the Amendment is approved, our share reserve will be reduced by 1.5 shares (compared to 1.25 shares under the current 2006 Employee Plan) for each share issued on or after the date of the Annual Meeting pursuant to restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards or other awards (excluding options and stock appreciation rights).

Historical Grant Information

No awards have been granted or promised with respect to the additional 5,000,000 shares requested. Awards under our 2006 Employee Plan are made at the discretion of our Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee and are therefore not determinable at this time. The following tables set forth detailed information about our historical equity compensation practices.

Awards Granted to Certain Individuals and Groups under the 2006 Employee Plan

The following table shows, for each of the named executive officers and the various groups indicated, the number of stock options and restricted stock units granted under the 2006 Employee Plan during fiscal 2011:


Name	Number of Restricted Stock Units Granted(1)			Number of Stock Options Granted(2)
Aart J. de Geus		66,700	(3)		200,000
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Chi-Foon Chan		38,300	(3)		115,000
President and Chief Operating Officer
Brian M. Beattie		18,300	(3)		55,000
Chief Financial Officer
Joseph W. Logan		18,300	(3)		55,000
Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales
Brian E. Cabrera		10,800	(3)		32,500
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
All executive officers as a group (5 persons)		152,400			457,500
All non-executive officer directors as a group (7 persons)		—			—
All employees, excluding executive officers, as a group (6,798 persons as of 10/29/11)(4)		1,326,335			1,758,145

(1)

For informational purposes, the aggregate numbers of restricted stock units granted under the 2006 Employee Plan, since its adoption through January 13, 2012, to Dr. de Geus, Dr. Chan, Mr. Beattie, Mr. Logan, Mr. Cabrera, all executive officers as a group, all non-executive officer directors as a group, and all employees (excluding executive officers) as a group were 412,033; 245,200; 134,700; 116,600; 69,800; 978,333; none; and 6,487,937, respectively. Of those aggregate grant numbers for Dr. de Geus, Dr. Chan, Mr. Beattie, Mr. Logan, Mr. Cabrera, and all executive officers as a group, 66,700; 46,700; 18,300; 18,300; 11,700; and 161,700 restricted stock units, respectively, are eligible to vest only upon the achievement of pre-established performance goals.

(2)

For informational purposes, the aggregate numbers of stock options granted under the 2006 Employee Plan, since its adoption through January 13, 2012, to Dr. de Geus, Dr. Chan, Mr. Beattie, Mr. Logan, Mr. Cabrera, all executive officers as a group, all non-executive officer directors as a group, and all employees (excluding executive officers) as a group were 1,160,500; 680,000; 380,000; 360,000; 255,500; 2,836,000; none; and 8,500,225, respectively.

(3)	These restricted stock units required the achievement of pre-established performance goals prior to any vesting of the awards.

(4)	Equity grants in fiscal 2011 under the 2006 Employee Plan were made to an aggregate of 1,655 employees, excluding persons who were executive officers as of the end of fiscal 2011.

Information for Burn Rate Calculations

The following table provides detailed information regarding the activity related to our equity plans (except our Employee Stock Purchase Plan) for fiscal 2011.


	Fiscal 2011
Stock Options Granted by Synopsys(1)		2,270,292
Restricted Stock Units Granted by Synopsys(2)		1,482,935
Restricted Stock Awards Granted by Synopsys(3)		27,270
Stock Options Cancelled		694,935
Restricted Stock Units Cancelled(4)		237,092
Restricted Stock Awards Cancelled		—
Weighted-Average Common Stock Outstanding		146,572,828
Common Stock Outstanding at Fiscal Year End		143,307,848

(1)	Represents options to purchase 2,228,145 shares granted under the 2006 Employee Plan and options to purchase 42,147 shares granted under the 2005 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan (referred to in this Proposal 2 as the 2005 Director Plan).

(2)	Granted under the 2006 Employee Plan. Represents the actual number of restricted stock units granted, prior to the application of the fungible share reserve ratio.

(3)	Granted under the 2005 Director Plan, which does not contain a fungible share reserve ratio. Represents the actual number of restricted stock awards granted.

(4)	Represents the actual number of restricted stock units cancelled, prior to the reverse application of the fungible share reserve ratio.

Information as of January 13, 2012

The following table provides certain additional information regarding our equity plans (except our Employee Stock Purchase Plan):


	As of 1/13/12
Total Stock Options Outstanding		14,479,485
Total Restricted Stock Unit Awards Outstanding		3,370,880
Total Common Stock Outstanding		143,452,193
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Stock Options Outstanding		$23.33
Weighted-Average Remaining Duration of Stock Options Outstanding		3.39 years
Total Shares Available for Grant under the 2006 Employee Plan		5,227,899
Total Shares Available for Grant under the 2005 Director Plan		393,653

Description of the 2006 Employee Plan, as Amended

The material terms and provisions of the 2006 Employee Plan, as amended, are summarized below. This summary, however, does not purport to be a complete description of the 2006 Employee Plan. The following summary of the 2006 Employee Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the 2006 Employee Plan, a copy of which is included as an appendix to this Proxy Statement. Any stockholder that wishes to obtain a paper copy of the plan document may do so by written request to: Corporate Secretary, Synopsys, Inc., 700 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043.

As further described in this Proposal 2, the 2006 Employee Plan has been amended to provide for:

•

an increase in the share reserve and incentive stock option limits;

•

an increase in the fungible share reserve ratio; and

•

certain clarifying amendments to ease administration and eliminate potential ambiguities.

General

The 2006 Employee Plan was originally adopted by our Board of Directors in March 2006 and approved by stockholders in April 2006 as a successor plan to prior stock option plans for our employees. The 2006 Employee Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, and other forms of equity compensation (collectively referred to in this Proxy Statement as equity awards). The 2006 Employee Plan also provides the ability to grant performance equity awards and performance cash awards (together referred to in this Proxy Statement as performance awards), which enable our Compensation Committee to use performance criteria in establishing specific targets to be attained as a condition to the vesting of awards.

Incentive stock options granted under the 2006 Employee Plan are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (referred to in this Proxy Statement as the Code). Non-statutory stock options granted under the 2006 Employee Plan are not intended to qualify as incentive stock options under the Code. See “Federal Income Tax Information” for a discussion of the tax treatment of equity awards.

Purpose

The 2006 Employee Plan provides eligible employees and consultants with the opportunity to benefit from increases in the value of our common stock as an incentive to such individuals to exert maximum efforts toward our success, thereby aligning their interests with the interests of our stockholders.

Administration

The 2006 Employee Plan provides that our Board of Directors has the authority to construe and interpret the 2006 Employee Plan, to determine the persons to whom and the dates on which equity awards will be granted, the number of shares of common stock to be subject to each equity award, the time or times during the term of each equity award within which all or a portion of the award may be exercised, the exercise, purchase, or strike price of each equity award, the type of consideration permitted to exercise or purchase each equity award, and other terms of the equity awards.

Our Board of Directors has the authority to delegate some or all of the administration of the 2006 Employee Plan to a committee or committees composed of members of our Board. In the discretion of our Board of Directors, a committee may consist solely of two or more “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or solely of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. The 2006 Employee Plan also permits delegation of administration of the plan to one or more executive officers with respect to grants to employees of Synopsys and its subsidiaries. Our Board of Directors has delegated to the Compensation Committee administration of the 2006 Employee Plan with respect to stock option and restricted stock unit awards to executive officers, and with respect to restricted stock unit awards to our other employees. Our Board of Directors has delegated to our Chief Executive Officer, as both an officer and a member of our Board of Directors, administration of the 2006 Employee Plan with respect to stock option awards to employees other than executive officers, subject to specified limitations and restrictions.

Eligibility

General. As of January 13, 2012, Synopsys had 6,830 employees, all of whom were eligible to participate under the 2006 Employee Plan. Our non-employee directors are not eligible to receive any awards under the 2006 Employee Plan.

Incentive Stock Options. Incentive stock options may be granted under the 2006 Employee Plan only to employees (including executive officers) of Synopsys and its affiliates. The aggregate maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options will be 63,497,248 shares of common stock. No incentive stock option may be granted under the 2006 Employee Plan to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns (or is deemed to own) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of Synopsys or its affiliates, unless the exercise price of such stock option is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the stock option on the date of grant and the term of the stock option does not exceed five years from the date of grant. In addition, the aggregate fair market value, determined on the date of grant, of the shares of common stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year (under the 2006 Employee Plan and any other equity plans of Synopsys and its affiliates) may not exceed $100,000 (any excess of such amount shall be treated as non-statutory stock options).

Non-Statutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Other Awards. Non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and all other types of equity awards and performance awards authorized under the 2006 Employee Plan may be granted to employees (including executive officers) and consultants of Synopsys and its affiliates.

Individual Limit. No person may be granted stock options or stock appreciation rights under the 2006 Employee Plan covering more than 1,000,000 shares of common stock during any calendar year. Stockholder approval of this Proposal 2 will also constitute a re-approval of the 1,000,000-share limitation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. This limitation allows us to grant stock options or stock appreciation rights under the 2006 Employee Plan that may be exempt from the $1,000,000 limitation on the income tax deductibility of compensation paid to covered executive officers under Section 162(m) of the Code.

Stock Subject to the 2006 Employee Plan

As of January 13, 2012, 5,227,899 shares of common stock were available for future grants under the 2006 Employee Plan. If this Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders, an additional 5,000,000 shares will be available for future grants under the 2006 Employee Plan. Assuming the stockholders approve this Proposal 2, a total of 63,497,248 shares of our common stock will have been reserved for issuance under the 2006 Employee Plan.

The number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2006 Employee Plan is currently reduced by one share for each share of common stock issued pursuant to a stock option or a stock appreciation right and by 1.25 shares for each share of common stock issued on or after March 24, 2011 pursuant to restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards or other awards (excluding options and stock appreciation rights). If this Proposal 2 is approved, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2006 Employee Plan will be reduced at the increased rate of 1.5 shares for each share of common stock issued on or after the date of the Annual Meeting pursuant to restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards or other awards (excluding options and stock appreciation rights).

If a stock option or stock appreciation right award expires or otherwise terminates without being fully exercised, if shares subject to a restricted stock award or restricted stock unit award are forfeited

to or repurchased by us, or if an equity award is settled in cash, the shares not issued under those awards, or the shares forfeited to or repurchased by us, become available for subsequent issuance under the 2006 Employee Plan. Such returning shares will increase the number of shares available for issuance under the 2006 Employee Plan, if amended, by one share if they were issued pursuant to a stock option or stock appreciation right and by 1.5 shares if they were issued pursuant to restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards or other awards (excluding options and stock appreciation rights) and returned (regardless of when issued) on or after the date of the Annual Meeting.

If shares subject to an award granted under the 2006 Employee Plan are not delivered to a participant because:

•

an equity award is exercised through a reduction in the number of shares subject to the equity award (a “net exercise”),

•

the appreciation distribution upon exercise of a stock appreciation right is paid in shares of common stock, or

•

shares are withheld in satisfaction of applicable withholding taxes,

then those shares do not become available for subsequent issuance under the 2006 Employee Plan. If the exercise price of a stock option is satisfied by a participant tendering previously held shares, the tendered shares do not become available for subsequent issuance under the 2006 Employee Plan.

Terms of Stock Options

We may grant stock options under the 2006 Employee Plan pursuant to stock option agreements adopted by our Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee. The following is a description of the permissible terms of stock options under the 2006 Employee Plan. Individual stock option agreements may be more restrictive as to any or all of the permissible terms described below.

Exercise Price. The exercise price of incentive stock options and non-statutory stock options may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the stock option on the date of grant and, in some cases (see “Eligibility” above), may not be less than 110% of such fair market value.

As of February 8, 2012, the closing price of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $30.03 per share.

Consideration. The stock option exercise price may, at the discretion of our Board of Directors, be paid in cash or by check, pursuant to a broker-assisted cashless exercise, by delivery of other shares of Synopsys common stock, pursuant to a net exercise arrangement, or in any other form of legal consideration acceptable to our Board of Directors.

Vesting. Stock options granted under the 2006 Employee Plan vest, or become exercisable, as determined by our Board of Directors. Vesting typically occurs during the optionholder’s continued service with Synopsys or an affiliate, whether such service is in the capacity of an employee, director or consultant (collectively referred to as service) and regardless of any change in the capacity of the optionee, or upon achievement of quantitative or qualitative goals determined by the plan administrator. Shares covered by different stock options may be subject to different vesting terms.

Term. Under the current 2006 Employee Plan, the maximum term of a stock option is seven years, except that in certain cases (see “Eligibility” above) the maximum term is five years.

Termination of Service. Stock options generally terminate three months after termination of a participant’s service unless:

•

the stock option agreement by its terms specifically provides otherwise,

•

termination is due to the participant’s disability, in which case the stock option may be exercised (to the extent the stock option was exercisable at the time of the termination of service) at any time within 12 months of termination,

•

the participant dies before the participant’s service has terminated, or the participant dies within a specified period after termination of service, in which case the stock option may be exercised (to the extent the stock option was exercisable at the time of the participant’s death) within 12 months of the participant’s death by the person or persons to whom the rights to such stock option have passed, or

•

the participant is terminated for cause (as defined under the 2006 Employee Plan), in which case the stock option terminates immediately and will cease to be exercisable (whether vested or unvested).

The stock option term may be extended in the event that exercise of the stock option following termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws. In no event, however, may a stock option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.

Restrictions on Transfer. A participant generally may not transfer a stock option other than by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a domestic relations order. During the lifetime of the participant, only the participant may exercise a stock option (except in instances pursuant to a domestic relations order). A participant may also designate a beneficiary who may exercise a stock option following the participant’s death.

Terms of Restricted Stock

We may grant restricted stock awards under the 2006 Employee Plan pursuant to restricted stock award agreements adopted by our Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee. Restricted stock awards are shares of our common stock that may be subject to restrictions, such as vesting requirements.

Consideration. Our Board of Directors may grant restricted stock awards in consideration for past or future services rendered to Synopsys or an affiliate, or any other form of legal consideration acceptable to our Board.

Vesting. Shares of stock acquired under a restricted stock award may, but need not, be subject to a repurchase option in favor of Synopsys or forfeiture to Synopsys in accordance with a vesting schedule as determined by our Board of Directors.

Termination of Service. Upon termination of a participant’s service, Synopsys may repurchase or otherwise reacquire any forfeited shares of stock that have not vested as of such termination under the terms of the applicable restricted stock award.

Terms of Restricted Stock Units

We may grant restricted stock unit awards under the 2006 Employee Plan pursuant to restricted stock unit award agreements adopted by our Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee. Restricted stock units represent the value of a fixed number of shares of Synopsys common stock on the date of grant.

Consideration. Our Board of Directors may grant restricted stock units in consideration for past or future services rendered to Synopsys or an affiliate, or any other form of legal consideration acceptable to our Board.

Vesting. Restricted stock units vest at the rate or on the terms specified in the restricted stock unit award agreement as determined by our Board of Directors.

Settlement. Restricted stock units may be settled by the delivery of shares of Synopsys common stock, cash, or any combination as determined by our Board of Directors. At the time of grant, our Board of Directors may impose additional restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of stock or cash subject to the restricted stock unit award after vesting.

Termination of Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, restricted stock units that have not vested will be forfeited upon the participant’s termination of service.

Terms of Stock Appreciation Rights

We may grant stock appreciation rights under the 2006 Employee Plan pursuant to stock appreciation rights agreements adopted by our Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee. A stock appreciation right is a right to receive the excess value over the strike price of a fixed number of shares. Individual stock appreciation right agreements may be more restrictive as to any or all of the permissible terms described below. Each stock appreciation right is denominated in shares of common stock equivalents but may be settled in cash.

Term. The maximum term of stock appreciation rights is seven years.

Strike Price. The strike price of stock appreciation rights may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock equivalents subject to the stock appreciation rights on the date of grant.

Exercise. Upon exercise of a stock appreciation right, Synopsys will pay the participant an amount equal to the excess of the aggregate fair market value on the date of exercise of a number of common stock equivalents with respect to which the participant is exercising the stock appreciation right, over the strike price determined by our Board of Directors on the date of grant. The appreciation distribution upon exercise of a stock appreciation right may be paid in cash, shares of our common stock, or any other form of consideration determined by our Board of Directors.

Vesting. Stock appreciation rights vest and become exercisable at the rate specified in the stock appreciation right agreement as determined by our Board of Directors.

Termination of Service. Stock appreciation rights generally terminate three months after termination of a participant’s service unless:

•

the stock appreciation rights agreement by its terms specifically provides otherwise,

•

termination is due to the participant’s disability, in which case the stock appreciation right may be exercised (to the extent vested at the time of the termination of service) at any time within 12 months of termination,

•

the participant dies before the participant’s service has terminated, or within a specified period after termination of service, in which case the stock appreciation right may be exercised (to the extent vested at the time of the participant’s death) within 12 months of the participant’s death by the person or persons to whom the rights to such stock appreciation right have passed, or

•

the participant is terminated for cause (as defined under the 2006 Employee Plan), in which case the stock appreciation right terminates immediately and will cease to be exercisable (whether vested or unvested).

The term of a stock appreciation right may be extended in the event that exercise following termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws. In no event may a stock appreciation right be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.

Terms of Other Stock Awards

Our Board of Directors may grant other equity awards based in whole or in part by reference to the value of our common stock. Subject to the provisions of the 2006 Employee Plan, our Board has the authority to determine the persons to whom and the dates on which such other equity awards will be granted, the number of shares of common stock (or cash equivalents) to be subject to each award, and other terms and conditions of such awards. Such awards may be granted either alone or in addition to other equity awards granted under the 2006 Employee Plan. These awards may not have a term in excess of seven years from the date of grant.

Terms of Performance Awards

General. Our Board of Directors may grant performance equity awards and performance cash awards that qualify as performance-based compensation that is not subject to the income tax deductibility limitations imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code, if the award is approved by the Compensation Committee and the grant or vesting of the award is tied solely to the attainment of performance goals during a designated performance period.

Performance Goals. To preserve the possibility that the compensation attributable to awards may qualify as performance-based compensation that will not be subject to the $1,000,000 limitation on the income tax deductibility of the compensation paid per covered executive officer imposed under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Compensation Committee has the authority to structure one or more such awards so that stock or cash will be issued or paid pursuant to the award only upon the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals that are based on criteria that have already been approved by our stockholders. Performance goals for awards granted under the 2006 Employee Plan may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following criteria: (a) earnings per share; (b) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (c) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA); (d) net earnings; (e) return on equity; (f) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (g) operating margin; (h) gross margin; (i) operating income; (j) net income (before or after taxes); (k) net operating income; (l) net operating income after tax; (m) pre- and after-tax income; (n) pre-tax profit; (o) operating cash flow; (p) orders (including backlog) and revenue; (q) orders quality metrics; (r) increases in revenue or product revenue; (s) expenses and cost reduction goals; (t) improvement in or attainment of expense levels; (u) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (v) market share; (w) cash flow; (x) cash flow per share; (y) share price performance; (z) debt reduction; (aa) implementation or completion of projects or processes; (bb) customer satisfaction; (cc) stockholders’ equity; (dd) quality measures; (ee) “Non-GAAP Net Income” (meaning net income excluding (1) the amortization of acquired intangible assets, (2) the impact of stock-based compensation expense, (3) acquisition-related costs, (4) other non-recurring significant items, such as the effect of tax or legal settlements with the Internal Revenue Service and restructuring charges, and (5) the income tax effect of non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments from the provision for income taxes); and (ff) any other measures of performance selected by our Board of Directors.

Performance goals may be set on a company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to internally

generated business plans, the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Adjustments may be made in the method of calculating the attainment of performance goals as follows: (i) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges (including but not limited to the effect of tax or legal settlements); (ii) to exclude exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated net sales and operating earnings; (iii) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting standards required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board; (iv) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (v) to exclude stock-based compensation expense determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (vi) to exclude any other unusual, non-recurring gain or loss or extraordinary item; (vii) to respond to, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event or development; (viii) to respond to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions; (ix) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (x) to assume that any business divested by Synopsys achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture; (xi) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of our common stock by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common shareholders other than regular cash dividends; (xii) to reflect a corporate transaction, such as a merger, consolidation, separation (including a spinoff or other distribution of stock or property by a corporation), or reorganization (whether or not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Section 368 of the Code); (xiii) to reflect any partial or complete corporate liquidation; (xiv) to exclude the effect of in-process research and development expenses; and (xv) to exclude the income tax effect of non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments from the provision for income taxes.

Annual Limitation. The maximum benefit to be received by a participant in any calendar year attributable to performance equity awards may not exceed 1,000,000 shares of common stock. The maximum benefit to be received by a participant in any calendar year attributable to performance cash awards granted pursuant to the 2006 Employee Plan may not exceed $2,000,000. Stockholder approval of this Proposal 2 will also constitute a re-approval of the foregoing limitations for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

Changes to Capital Structure

In the event any change is made to the outstanding shares of our common stock without receipt of consideration (whether through a stock split, reverse stock split or other changes in the capital structure), appropriate adjustments will be made to the class of securities issuable under the 2006 Employee Plan, the maximum number of securities issuable under the 2006 Employee Plan, the incentive stock option limitation, the maximum award that one person may be granted in a calendar year under the 2006 Employee Plan, and the number, class and price per share under outstanding equity awards under the 2006 Employee Plan.

Corporate Transactions; Changes in Control

Unless otherwise provided in a written agreement between Synopsys or an affiliate and a participant, or unless otherwise expressly provided by our Board of Directors at the time of grant of an equity award, in the event of significant corporate transactions, outstanding equity awards under the 2006 Employee Plan may be assumed, continued or substituted by any surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company). If the surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company) elects not to assume, continue or substitute such equity awards, then:

•

with respect to any such equity awards that are held by individuals then performing services for Synopsys or its affiliates, the vesting and exercisability provisions of such equity awards

will be accelerated in full and such awards will be terminated if not exercised prior to the effective date of the corporate transaction and any reacquisition or repurchase rights will lapse (contingent upon the effectiveness of the corporate transaction),

•

all other outstanding equity awards will be terminated if not exercised prior to the effective date of the corporate transaction, except that certain equity awards, such as restricted stock awards, may have their reacquisition or repurchase rights assigned to the surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company) in the corporate transaction, though if such reacquisition or repurchase rights are not assigned, then such equity awards will become fully vested, and

•

no vested restricted stock unit award will terminate without being settled by delivery of shares of common stock, their cash equivalent or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board of Directors, prior to the effectiveness of the corporate transaction.

A significant corporate transaction will be deemed to occur in the event of:

•

a sale of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of Synopsys and its subsidiaries,

•

a sale of at least 90% of the outstanding securities of Synopsys,

•

a merger, consolidation or similar transaction in which Synopsys is not the surviving corporation, or

•

a merger, consolidation or similar transaction in which Synopsys is the surviving corporation, but shares of Synopsys outstanding common stock are converted into other property by virtue of the corporate transaction.

The 2006 Employee Plan provides, at the discretion of our Board of Directors, that the holder of an outstanding equity award that would otherwise terminate if not exercised prior to the corporate transaction may surrender such equity award in exchange for a payment equal to the excess of the value of the property that the holder would have received upon exercise of the equity award immediately prior to the corporate transaction, over the exercise price otherwise payable in connection with the equity award. Additionally, the 2006 Employee Plan provides our Board of Directors with the discretion to grant individual equity awards that vest as to all or any portion of the shares subject to the equity award in connection with a change of control transaction. No such equity awards have been granted by our Board of Directors.

The acceleration of an equity award in the event of an acquisition or similar corporate event may be viewed as an anti-takeover provision, which may have the effect of discouraging a proposal to acquire or otherwise obtain control of Synopsys.

Duration, Termination and Amendment

Our Board of Directors may suspend or terminate the 2006 Employee Plan without stockholder approval or ratification at any time. Unless sooner terminated, the 2006 Employee Plan will terminate on March 2, 2016. Our Board may amend or modify the 2006 Employee Plan at any time, subject to any required stockholder approval. To the extent required by applicable law or regulation, stockholder approval will be required for any amendment that:

•

materially increases the number of shares available for issuance under the 2006 Employee Plan,

•

materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive awards under the 2006 Employee Plan,

•

materially increases the benefits accruing to the participants under the 2006 Employee Plan or materially reduces the price at which shares of common stock may be issued or purchased under the 2006 Employee Plan,

•

materially extends the term of the 2006 Employee Plan, or

•

expands the types of awards available for issuance under the 2006 Employee Plan.

Our Board of Directors also may submit to stockholders any other amendment to the 2006 Employee Plan, including amendments intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code regarding the exclusion of performance-based compensation from the limitation on the deductibility of compensation paid to certain employees.

Federal Income Tax Information

The following is a summary of the principal United States federal income taxation consequences to participants and Synopsys with respect to participation in the 2006 Employee Plan. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive, and does not discuss the income tax laws of any city, state or foreign jurisdiction in which a participant may reside.

Incentive Stock Options. Incentive stock options granted under the 2006 Employee Plan are intended to qualify for the favorable federal income tax treatment accorded “incentive stock options” under the Code. There generally are no federal ordinary income tax consequences to the participant or Synopsys by reason of the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option. However, the exercise of an incentive stock option may increase the participant’s alternative minimum tax liability, if any.

The difference between the exercise price and fair market value of the incentive stock option shares on the date of exercise is an adjustment to income for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. Alternative minimum taxable income is determined by adjusting regular taxable income for certain items, increasing that income by certain tax preference items and reducing this amount by the applicable exemption amount.

If a participant holds stock acquired through exercise of an incentive stock option for more than two years from the date on which the stock option was granted and more than one year after the date the stock option was exercised for those shares, any gain or loss on a disposition of those shares (referred to in this Proxy Statement as a qualifying disposition) will be a long-term capital gain or loss. Upon such a qualifying disposition, Synopsys will not be entitled to any income tax deduction.

Generally, if the participant disposes of the stock before the expiration of either of those holding periods (referred to in this Proxy Statement as a disqualifying disposition), then at the time of disposition the participant will realize taxable ordinary income equal to the lesser of (a) the excess of the stock’s fair market value on the date of exercise over the exercise price, or (b) the participant’s actual gain, if any, on the purchase and sale. The participant’s additional gain or any loss upon the disqualifying disposition will be a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than one year after exercise.

To the extent the participant recognizes ordinary income by reason of a disqualifying disposition, generally Synopsys will be entitled (subject to the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) to a corresponding income tax deduction in the tax year in which the disqualifying disposition occurs.

Non-Statutory Stock Options. No taxable income is recognized by a participant upon the grant of a non-statutory stock option. Upon exercise of a non-statutory stock option, the participant will recognize

ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the purchased shares on the exercise date over the exercise price paid for those shares. Generally, Synopsys will be entitled (subject to the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) to an income tax deduction in the tax year in which such ordinary income is recognized by the participant. Synopsys will be required to satisfy certain tax withholding requirements applicable to such income.

Upon disposition of the stock, the participant will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the selling price and the sum of the amount paid for such stock plus any amount recognized as ordinary income upon acquisition of the stock. Such gain or loss will be long-term or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than one year after exercise.

Restricted Stock Awards. Upon receipt of a restricted stock award, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares on the date of issuance over the purchase price, if any, paid for those shares. Synopsys will be entitled (subject to the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) to a corresponding income tax deduction in the year in which such ordinary income is recognized by the participant.

However, if the shares issued upon the grant of a restricted stock award are unvested and subject to repurchase by Synopsys in the event of the participant’s termination of service prior to vesting in those shares, the participant will not recognize any taxable income at the time of issuance, but will have to report as ordinary income, as and when Synopsys’ repurchase right lapses, an amount equal to the excess of (a) the fair market value of the shares on the date the repurchase right lapses, over (b) the purchase price, if any, paid for the shares. The participant may, however, elect under Section 83(b) of the Code to include as ordinary income in the year of issuance an amount equal to the excess of (a) the fair market value of the shares on the date of issuance, over (b) the purchase price, if any, paid for such shares. If the Section 83(b) election is made, the participant will not recognize any additional income as and when the repurchase right lapses. The participant and Synopsys will be required to satisfy certain tax withholding requirements applicable to such income. Synopsys will be entitled to an income tax deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant at the time the shares are issued. In general, the deduction will be allowed for the taxable year in which such ordinary income is recognized by the participant.

Upon disposition of the stock acquired upon the receipt of a restricted stock award, the participant will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the selling price and the sum of the amount paid for such stock plus any amount recognized as ordinary income upon issuance (or vesting) of the stock. Such gain or loss will be long-term or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than one year.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards. No taxable income is recognized upon receipt of a restricted stock unit award. The participant will generally recognize ordinary income in the year in which the shares subject to that unit are actually vested and issued to the participant in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of issuance. The participant and Synopsys will be required to satisfy certain tax withholding requirements applicable to such income. Synopsys will be entitled (subject to the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) to an income tax deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant at the time the shares are issued. In general, the deduction will be allowed for the taxable year in which such ordinary income is recognized by the participant.

Stock Appreciation Rights. No taxable income is realized upon the receipt of a stock appreciation right. Upon exercise of the stock appreciation right, the fair market value of the shares (or cash in lieu

of shares) received is recognized as ordinary income to the participant in the year of such exercise. Generally, with respect to employees, Synopsys is required to withhold from the payment made on exercise of the stock appreciation right or from regular wages or supplemental wage payments an amount based on the ordinary income recognized. Generally, Synopsys will be entitled (subject to the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) to an income tax deduction in the year in which such ordinary income is recognized by the participant.

Potential Limitation on Deductions. Section 162(m) of the Code denies a deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to certain “covered employees” in a taxable year to the extent that compensation to each covered employee exceeds $1,000,000. It is possible that compensation attributable to awards, when combined with all other types of compensation received by a covered employee from Synopsys, may cause this limitation to be exceeded in any particular year. However, certain kinds of compensation, including qualified “performance-based compensation”, are disregarded for purposes of the deduction limitation.

Below is a summary of the material conditions under which certain equity awards qualify as performance-based compensation that is exempt from the $1,000,000 deduction limitation in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code:

•

Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Compensation paid to covered employees that is attributable to stock options and stock appreciation rights will qualify as performance-based compensation if (a) such awards are granted by a compensation committee or committee of our Board of Directors comprised solely of “outside directors,” (b) the 2006 Employee Plan contains a per-employee limitation on the number of shares for which such awards may be granted during a specified period, (c) the per-employee limitation is approved by our stockholders, and (d) the exercise or strike price of the award is no less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.

•

Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Performance Equity Awards and Performance Cash Awards. Compensation paid to covered employees that is attributable to restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance equity awards, and performance cash awards will qualify as performance-based compensation, provided that: (a) the award is granted by a compensation committee comprised solely of “outside directors,” (b) the award is granted (or vests) only upon the achievement of an objective performance goal established in writing by the compensation committee while the outcome is substantially uncertain, (c) the compensation committee certifies in writing prior to the grant or vesting of the award that the performance goal has been satisfied, and (d) stockholders have approved the material terms of the award (including the class of employees eligible for such award, the business criteria on which the performance goal is based, and the maximum amount, or formula used to calculate the amount, payable upon attainment of the performance goal).

PROPOSAL 3: APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT OF OUR EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

We are asking our stockholders to approve an amendment of our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (referred to in this Proposal 3 as the Purchase Plan) to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the Purchase Plan by 5,000,000, representing approximately 3.49% of our shares of common stock outstanding as of January 13, 2012. We adopted the Purchase Plan so we could offer employees of Synopsys and eligible affiliates the opportunity to purchase Synopsys common stock at a discounted price as an incentive for continued employment. We are proposing an increase in the number of shares available for issuance under the Purchase Plan to enable us to continue providing this benefit to new and current employees. Our Board of Directors approved this amendment in December 2011 (referred to in this Proposal 3 as the ESPP Amendment), subject to stockholder approval. If approved by our stockholders, the ESPP Amendment will become effective as of the Annual Meeting date.

Approval of the ESPP Amendment requires the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting to vote “For” this Proposal 3. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote “Against” this Proposal 3.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”

THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT OF THE PURCHASE PLAN.

Purpose and Background

The Purchase Plan is designed to provide our eligible employees and those of our designated subsidiaries and related entities (whether now existing or subsequently established) with the opportunity to purchase shares of our common stock on periodic purchase dates through their accumulated payroll deductions. The Purchase Plan is designed to allow U.S.-based employees to make such purchases in a manner that receives favorable tax treatment under Section 423 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (referred to in this Proxy Statement as Section 423). Our Board of Directors, or its delegate, may approve offerings under the Purchase Plan that are not intended to qualify for such favorable tax treatment under Section 423, including, without limitation, offerings in which eligible employees who are not subject to U.S. tax laws may participate.

Our management believes that maintaining a competitive employee stock purchase plan is an important element in recruiting, motivating and retaining our employees. The Purchase Plan is designed to more closely align the interests of our employees with those of our stockholders by encouraging employees to invest in our common stock, and to help our employees share in our success through the appreciation in value of such purchased stock. The Purchase Plan together with our equity plans are important employee retention and recruitment vehicles. As of January 13, 2012, there were approximately 3,874 employees participating in the Purchase Plan, representing approximately 79% of our employees who are eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan.

Over the last two fiscal years, we added almost 1,000 employees, particularly due to our acquisitions. As we have grown, so have the share requirements of our Purchase Plan. As of January 13, 2012, an aggregate of 2,818,002 shares of common stock remained available for future issuance under the Purchase Plan. We estimate that, with an increase of 5,000,000 shares, we will have a sufficient number of shares of common stock to cover purchases under the Purchase Plan for approximately two years. Consequently, our Board of Directors has, subject to stockholder approval, increased the aggregate number of shares issuable under the Purchase Plan by 5,000,000 shares of common stock. Our Board of Directors believes it is in the best interests of Synopsys and our stockholders to continue to provide our employees with the opportunity to acquire an ownership interest in Synopsys through their participation in the Purchase Plan, encouraging them to remain in our employ and more closely aligning their interests with those of our stockholders.

Description of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as Amended

The material terms and provisions of the Purchase Plan, as amended, are summarized below. This summary, however, does not purport to be a complete description of the Purchase Plan. The following summary of the Purchase Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Purchase Plan, a copy of which is included as an appendix to this Proxy Statement. Any stockholder that wishes to obtain a paper copy of the plan document may do so by written request to: Corporate Secretary, Synopsys, Inc., 700 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043.

The Purchase Plan has been amended to provide for an increase in the share reserve.

Administration

Our Board of Directors, or its delegate, has the power, subject to the provisions of the Purchase Plan, to determine the provisions of each offering of purchase rights, and whether employees of any of our subsidiary companies or other affiliates will be eligible to participate in an offering. Our Board of Directors may delegate such authority in accordance with applicable law. References in this Proposal 3 to our Board of Directors refer to the Board or its delegate, as applicable. The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has been delegated authority to approve the terms of offerings under the Purchase Plan and to otherwise administer the Purchase Plan. As plan administrator, the Compensation Committee has full authority to adopt rules and procedures and to interpret the provisions of the Purchase Plan. The day to day administrative functions of the Purchase Plan have been delegated to our Shareholder Services Department. All costs and expenses incurred in plan administration are paid by Synopsys without charge to participants.

Share Reserve

The total number of shares of common stock currently reserved for issuance over the term of the Purchase Plan is 30,700,000. As of January 13, 2012, an aggregate of 27,881,998 shares of common stock have been issued to employees under the Purchase Plan, and 2,818,002 shares of common stock remained available for future issuance. Assuming that this Proposal 3 is approved by the stockholders, the total number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Purchase Plan will be increased to 35,700,000 shares. The shares of common stock issuable under the Purchase Plan may be made available from authorized but unissued shares of common stock or from shares of common stock we reacquire, including shares of common stock repurchased on the open market. If any right to purchase shares of common stock terminates for any reason without having been exercised, the shares of common stock not purchased under such right will again become available for issuance under the Purchase Plan.

In the event any change is made to our outstanding common stock (whether by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, or other change affecting the outstanding common stock as a class without our receipt of consideration), our Board of Directors will make appropriate adjustments to (1) the maximum number and class of securities issuable under the Purchase Plan, (2) the maximum share purchase limitations in effect under any offering, and (3) the number and class of securities and the purchase price per share in effect under each outstanding purchase right. Such adjustments will be designed to preclude any dilution or enlargement of rights and benefits under the Purchase Plan.

Eligibility

Only our employees and employees of our designated affiliates are eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan. Our Board of Directors will determine the particular eligibility requirements for participation in an offering. For offerings that are intended to qualify under Section 423, our Board of

Directors is not permitted to exclude employees who work more than twenty (20) hours per week or more than five (5) months per calendar year. For offerings that are not intended to qualify under Section 423, our Board of Directors has the ability to determine that it is necessary or desirable to exclude certain employees by location from participation in our international offerings in order to reflect or comply with local laws or conditions. As of January 13, 2012, Synopsys had approximately 4,900 employees who were eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan.

Offerings

Shares of common stock are offered under the Purchase Plan through a series of offerings of such duration as determined by our Board of Directors, provided that in no event may an offering have a duration that exceeds 27 months. Each offering consists of one or more purchase periods with purchase dates as determined by our Board of Directors prior to the commencement of that offering. Consistent with historical practice, the current offerings consist of a series of overlapping offering periods, each with a duration of twenty-four (24) months. Offerings begin on the first business day of March and on the first business day of September each year. Accordingly, two separate offerings begin in each calendar year.

Our Board of Directors may provide that if the fair market value per share of our common stock on the first day of a subsequent purchase period within a particular offering is less than or equal to the fair market value per share of our common stock on the start date of that offering, then that offering will terminate immediately and the participants in that offering will automatically be enrolled in a new offering that begins on the first day of such purchase period.

When an eligible employee elects to participate in an offering, he or she is electing to exercise a purchase right to acquire shares of common stock on each purchase date within the offering. On the purchase date, all payroll deductions and any other permitted contributions collected from the participant are automatically applied to the purchase of common stock, subject to certain limitations. Consistent with historical practice, current purchase periods are semi-annual and run from the first business day in March to the last business day in August each year and from the first business day in September each year to the last business day in February in the immediately succeeding year. Accordingly, shares of common stock are purchased on the last business day in February and August each year with the payroll deductions collected from the participants for the purchase period ending with each such semi-annual purchase date.

Purchase Price

The purchase price of the shares of common stock purchased on behalf of each participant on each purchase date is the lower of 85% of (1) the fair market value per share on the start date of the offering in which the participant is enrolled or (2) the fair market value per share on the applicable purchase date of such offering. The fair market value per share on any particular date under the Purchase Plan is the closing price per share on such date reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. As of February 8, 2012, the fair market value determined on such basis was $30.03 per share.

Payroll Deductions and Stock Purchases

Each participant authorizes periodic payroll deductions of a percentage of his or her earnings, as defined in the offering, to be applied to the acquisition of shares of common stock on the purchase dates. Accordingly, on each purchase date, the accumulated payroll deductions of each participant are automatically applied to the purchase of whole shares of common stock at the purchase price in effect for the participant for that purchase date. The maximum percentage of earnings that the participant may have deducted and contributed toward the purchase of shares during an offering will be established by our Board of Directors and set forth in the offering document, but in no event may it

exceed 15% of the participant’s earnings attributable to payroll periods applicable to the offering as established by our Board of Directors. Consistent with historical practice, the current offerings authorize a maximum contribution of up to the lesser of (a) 10% of a participant’s earnings or (b) $7,500 per purchase period.

Other Limitations

The Purchase Plan imposes certain limitations upon a participant’s rights to acquire shares of common stock for offerings that are intended to qualify under Section 423, including the following:

•

Purchase rights granted to a participant may not permit such individual to purchase more than $25,000 worth of shares of common stock (valued at the time each purchase right is granted) for each calendar year in which those purchase rights are outstanding.

•

Purchase rights may not be granted to any individual if such individual would, immediately after the grant, own or hold outstanding options or other rights to purchase stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of the stock of us or any of our affiliates.

Consistent with our historical practice, the current offerings also impose the following limitations:

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The maximum number of shares that may be purchased by any participant on any purchase date is 4,000 shares.

•

The maximum payroll deduction that may be applied toward the purchase of shares on any purchase date is U.S. $7,500 per participant.

Termination of Employment

Generally, purchase rights granted pursuant to any offering under the Purchase Plan terminate immediately upon cessation of employment for any reason, including death, and we will refund all accumulated payroll deductions to the terminated employee or his or her beneficiary, as applicable, without interest.

Stockholder Rights

No participant has any stockholder rights with respect to the shares of common stock covered by a purchase right under the Purchase Plan until the shares of common stock are actually purchased on the participant’s behalf. Other than stock splits and other recapitalizations described above, no adjustment will be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date of such purchase.

Assignability

Purchase rights are not assignable or transferable by a participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution following the participant’s death, and during the participant’s lifetime, the purchase rights may be exercised only by the participant.

Change in Ownership

In the event a change in ownership of Synopsys occurs, all outstanding purchase rights will automatically be exercised immediately prior to the effective date of such change in ownership. The purchase price in effect for each participant will be equal to 85% of the lower of (1) the fair market value per share on the start date of the offering in which the participant is enrolled at the time the change in ownership occurs or (2) the fair market value per share immediately prior to the effective date of such change in ownership.

A change in ownership will be deemed to occur in the event of (1) a sale, merger or other reorganization in which Synopsys is not the surviving corporation or (2) a reverse merger in which we are the surviving corporation, but in which more than 50% of our outstanding voting stock is transferred to holders different from those who held our stock immediately prior to such transaction.

Share Pro Ration

Should the total number of shares of common stock to be purchased pursuant to outstanding purchase rights on any particular date exceed either (1) the maximum number of shares of common stock purchasable in total by all participants on any one purchase date as in effect under an offering or offerings, or (2) the number of shares of common stock then available for issuance under the Purchase Plan, then our Board of Directors will make a pro rata allocation of the available shares of common stock in as nearly a uniform manner as practicable and equitable. In such an event, the plan administrator will refund the accumulated payroll deductions of each participant, to the extent in excess of the purchase price payable for the shares of common stock prorated to such individual. Consistent with our historical practice, under our current offerings the maximum number of shares of common stock purchasable in total by all participants on any one purchase date is 2,000,000.

Amendment and Termination

Our Board of Directors may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Purchase Plan at any time, including amendments to outstanding purchase rights. However, our Board of Directors must seek stockholder approval of any plan amendment to the extent necessary to satisfy applicable laws or listing requirements. For example, under currently applicable laws and listing requirements our Board of Directors may not, without stockholder approval, amend our Purchase Plan to (1) increase the number of shares of common stock issuable under the Purchase Plan, (2) alter the purchase price formula so as to reduce the purchase price, or (3) materially increase the benefits accruing to participants or materially modify the requirements for eligibility to participate in the Purchase Plan.

Plan Benefits

Participation in the Purchase Plan is voluntary and each eligible employee makes his or her own decision whether and to what extent to participate in the Purchase Plan. In addition, our Board of Directors has not approved any grants of purchase rights that are conditioned on stockholder approval of the ESPP Amendment. Accordingly, we cannot currently determine the benefits or number of shares that will be received in the future by individual employees or groups of employees under the Purchase Plan. Our non-employee directors are not eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan.

The table below shows, as to the listed individuals and specified groups, the number of shares of common stock purchased under the Purchase Plan during fiscal 2011.


Name and Position	Number of Purchased Shares of Common Stock(1)
Aart J. de Geus Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer		831

Chi-Foon Chan President and Chief Operating Officer		831

Brian M. Beattie Chief Financial Officer		831

Joseph Logan Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales		—

Brian Cabrera Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary		831

All executive officers as a group (5 persons)		3,324

All directors who are not executive officers as a group (7 persons)(2)		—

All employees, excluding executive officers, as a group		2,234,266

(1)

For informational purposes, the aggregate numbers of shares of common stock purchased under the Purchase Plan, since its adoption through January 13, 2012, by Dr. de Geus, Dr. Chan, Mr. Beattie, Mr. Logan, Mr. Cabrera, all executive officers as a group, all non-executive officer directors as a group, and all employees (excluding executive officers) as a group were 26,056; 26,056; 5,126; none; 4,661; 61,899; none; and 27,820,099, respectively.

(2)	Non-employee directors are not eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan.

U.S. Federal Tax Consequences

The following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income taxation consequences to us and our employees with respect to participation in the component of the Purchase Plan intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not discuss the income tax laws of any foreign jurisdictions where a participant may reside or the taxation consequences with respect to participation in any component of the Purchase Plan not intended to meet the requirements of Section 423.

General. The Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423, so that purchase rights exercised under the Purchase Plan may qualify as qualified purchases under Section 423. Under such an arrangement, no taxable income will be recognized by a participant, and no deductions will be allowable to us, upon either the grant or the exercise of the purchase rights. Taxable income will not be recognized until there is a sale or other disposition of the shares of common stock acquired under the Purchase Plan or in the event the participant should die while still owning the purchased shares of common stock.

Disqualifying Disposition. If the participant sells or otherwise disposes of the purchased shares of common stock within two years after the start date of the offering period in which such shares were acquired or within one year after the actual purchase date of those shares, then the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the amount by which the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the purchase date exceeded the purchase price paid for those shares, and

Synopsys will be entitled to an income tax deduction, for the taxable year in which such disposition occurs, equal in amount to such excess. The participant will also recognize capital gain to the extent the amount realized upon the sale or disposition of the shares of common stock exceeds the sum of the aggregate purchase price paid for those shares of common stock and the ordinary income recognized upon their disposition.

Qualifying Disposition. If the participant sells or disposes of the purchased shares of common stock more than two years after the start date of the offering period in which the shares of common stock were acquired and more than one year after the actual purchase date of those shares, then the participant will recognize ordinary income in the year of sale or disposition equal to the lesser of (1) the amount by which the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the sale or disposition date exceeded the purchase price paid for those shares of common stock or (2) fifteen percent (15%) of the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the start date of that offering period. Any additional gain or loss upon the disposition will be taxed as a long-term capital gain or loss. We will not be entitled to an income tax deduction with respect to such disposition.

Death. If the participant still owns the purchased shares at the time of death, the lesser of (1) the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the date of death exceeds the purchase price or (2) fifteen percent (15%) of the fair market value of the shares on the start date of the offering period in which those shares of common stock were acquired will constitute ordinary income in the year of death.

PROPOSAL 4: ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

We are requesting our stockholders to provide advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and the narrative discussion set forth on pages 36 to 64 of this Proxy Statement. This non-binding advisory vote is commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” vote.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”

THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED

IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

Background

At last year’s annual meeting, we provided our stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote regarding the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. At our 2011 Annual Meeting, our stockholders overwhelmingly approved the proposal, with more than 97% of the votes cast voting in favor of the proposal. We also asked our stockholders to indicate if we should hold a “say-on-pay” vote every one, two or three years. Consistent with the recommendation of our Board of Directors, our stockholders indicated by advisory vote their preference to hold a say-on-pay vote annually. After consideration of the voting results, and based upon its prior recommendation, our Board of Directors elected to hold a stockholder say-on-pay vote annually. Accordingly, this year we are again asking our stockholders to vote “For” the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

Our Compensation Committee, which is responsible for designing and administering our executive compensation program, has designed our executive compensation program to provide a competitive and internally equitable compensation and benefits package that reflects company performance, job complexity and strategic value of the position, while ensuring long-term retention, motivation and alignment with the long-term interests of Synopsys’ stockholders. Synopsys has maintained profitability since fiscal 2006 and we believe the compensation program for our named executive officers has been instrumental in helping Synopsys achieve strong financial performance in the challenging macroeconomic environment over the past few years. We encourage you to carefully review the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 36 of this Proxy Statement for additional details on Synopsys’ executive compensation, including Synopsys’ compensation philosophy and objectives, as well as the processes our Compensation Committee used to determine the structure and amounts of the compensation of our named executive officers in fiscal 2011.

We are asking you to indicate your support for the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, we are asking you to vote, on an advisory basis, “For” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to Synopsys, Inc.’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s compensation disclosure rules, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion set forth on pages 36 to 64 of this Proxy Statement, is hereby approved.”

While the results of this advisory vote are not binding, the Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote in deciding whether to take any action as a result of the vote and when making future compensation decisions for named executive officers.

PROPOSAL 5: RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has selected KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, to audit our consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2012. KPMG LLP has audited our consolidated financial statements since fiscal 1992. As a matter of good corporate governance, we are asking our stockholders to ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2012.

We expect that a KPMG LLP representative will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP requires that the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting vote “For” this Proposal 5. An “Abstention” vote will have the same effect as a vote “Against” this Proposal 5. Discretionary votes by brokers, banks and related agents on this routine proposal will be counted towards the quorum requirement and will affect the outcome of the vote.

Stockholder ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise. Nevertheless, our Board of Directors is submitting the selection of KPMG LLP to our stockholders for ratification. If our stockholders do not ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain KPMG LLP. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the selection of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of Synopsys and our stockholders.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF KPMG LLP TO SERVE AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL 2012.

Fees and Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by KPMG LLP for the audit of our annual financial statements and fees billed for all other services rendered by KPMG LLP during the following fiscal years.


	Fiscal Year Ended
	Oct. 29, 2011		Oct. 30, 2010
	(in thousands)
Audit fees	$	2,699	$	2,977
Audit-related fees(1)	$	59	$	277
Tax fees(2)	$	34	$	111

Total fees	$	2,792	$	3,365

(1)	Consists of fees for due diligence services.

(2)	Consists of fees for assistance with state tax proceedings and international tax compliance services relating to certain foreign subsidiaries.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

As required by Section 10A(i)(1) of the Exchange Act, all audit and non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm must be approved in advance by the

Audit Committee, subject to certain exceptions relating to non-audit services accounting for less than five percent of the total fees paid to our independent registered public accounting firm which are subsequently ratified by the Audit Committee (referred to in this Proposal 5 as the De Minimus Exception). In addition, pursuant to Section 10A(i)(3) of the Exchange Act, as amended, the Audit Committee has established procedures by which the Chairperson of the Audit Committee may pre-approve such services, provided the Chairperson subsequently reports the details of the services to the full Audit Committee. None of the non-audit services performed by KPMG LLP during fiscal 2011 or fiscal 2010 were performed pursuant to the De Minimus Exception.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED INFORMATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This section explains how we compensate our named executive officers (NEOs). The individuals who served as our NEOs during fiscal 2011 are:

•

Aart J de Geus, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors

•

Chi-Foon Chan, President and Chief Operating Officer

•

Brian M. Beattie, Chief Financial Officer

•

Joseph W. Logan, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales

•

Brian E. Cabrera, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Synopsys has delivered year-over-year revenue growth and maintained profitability on an annual basis since fiscal 2006. Even in the midst of global economic instability, we delivered revenue growth for our stockholders. Our people make the difference. We achieve predictably positive results because our employees implement and execute our strategic plans and support our customers for outstanding results. Our ongoing and future success requires that we continue to cultivate high caliber executive talent to lead our business and engage our global workforce. To this end, we design our executive compensation policies to provide a competitive and internally equitable compensation and benefits package. We try to ensure that our executive compensation reflects company performance, job complexity, and the strategic value of the position, and at the same time promotes long-term retention and motivation. We believe our executive compensation policies have been instrumental in helping us achieve strong financial performance through economic uncertainty.

Our current NEOs are especially knowledgeable about our business and industry. For example, Dr. de Geus, considered an electronic design automation (EDA) pioneer, co-founded Synopsys over 25 years ago and Dr. Chan, with his in-depth knowledge of semiconductor design and manufacturing, has been with Synopsys for over 21 years. We believe the expertise of our NEOs will help us to continue to provide stockholder value as we continue to manage the instability in the global markets.

The cornerstone of our compensation philosophy is pay for performance. We closely align the compensation paid to our NEOs with our achievement of both short- and long-term financial goals. In fiscal 2011, performance-based compensation made up approximately 90% of the total direct compensation of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and 84% of the total direct compensation of our other NEOs.

Our Executive Incentive Plan (as further defined below, and referred to as our EIP) uses performance goals that support our primary financial objectives of growing annual revenue while managing costs as measured by the operating margin, and creating a stable and predictable future revenue stream. In fiscal 2011, we achieved a weighted average performance of 104.5% of our 2011 EIP performance goals and exceeded our projected revenue goal and, as a result, actual earned performance-based cash compensation increased from fiscal 2010 for all of our NEOs. This increase in performance-based cash compensation was the principal driver for increases in fiscal 2011 in total direct compensation of our NEOs.

We held our first advisory stockholder vote on executive compensation in 2011. Over 97% of the shares that voted approved our executive compensation described in last year’s proxy statement. Although certain elements of our executives’ compensation for fiscal 2011, including base

salary and performance goals for equity awards and non-equity incentive payments, were already set prior to the stockholder advisory vote, the Compensation Committee considered the results of the stockholder advisory vote in making final compensation decisions related to the executives’ cash incentive payout. Furthermore, the Compensation Committee has factored in our stockholders’ say-on-pay approval by maintaining essentially the same compensation practices for fiscal 2012.

Our Compensation Committee believes our current executive compensation policies continue to be effective in advancing our strategic plans, reasonable in relation to our peer group and responsible by encouraging our NEOs to work for meaningful stockholder returns without taking unnecessary or excessive risks. The highlights of our compensation program include:

•

Fixed compensation is targeted at only 10% of total direct compensation for our CEO and 20% for our other NEOs, assuring that the vast majority of NEO target total direct compensation is performance-based.

•

Total direct compensation for our NEOs is generally targeted between the 50^th and 60^th percentiles of our peer group for full performance.

•

Our EIP encourages our NEOs to address current fiscal year revenue and operating margin, as well as revenue in future years, promoting a predictable revenue stream and minimizing incentives for risky business practices with short-term impact.

•

Our performance-based RSUs incent our NEOs to achieve a specified non-GAAP net income target for the current fiscal year to earn a maximum award, and encourage retention through time-based vesting over the following three years.

•

Our NEO change of control agreements are “double trigger.”

•

The change of control cash severance benefits offered to our NEOs do not exceed two times their annual target cash compensation.

The following compensation governance elements support and regulate our compensation program:

•

The Compensation Committee is composed solely of independent directors and it directly retains an independent compensation consultant.

•

Our Board of Directors elected to hold an annual advisory say-on-pay vote, and the Compensation Committee considers the outcome of the advisory vote in making compensation decisions.

•

In 2003, Synopsys adopted Stock Ownership Guidelines for our NEOs and members of the senior leadership team in order to further link the decisions they are responsible for in the near-term to the long-term success of the company. Our CEO currently holds 593,594 shares of our common stock valued (as of the end of fiscal 2011) at well over 25 times his annual base salary.

•

We maintain a “clawback” policy for the recovery of performance-based compensation in the event of a substantial financial restatement.

•

Our NEOs are prohibited from engaging in hedging transactions in Synopsys stock.

•

Synopsys’ executive compensation policies are structured to discourage inappropriate risk-taking by our executives. The Compensation Risk Assessment located after this Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the Compensation Committee’s assessment that the risks arising from our company-wide compensation programs are reasonable, in the best interest of our stockholders, and not likely to have a material adverse effect on us.

OUR COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY

We have designed our executive compensation program to attract, motivate and retain a team of highly qualified executives who will drive technological and business success. Our principal goal is to motivate and reward our NEOs for direct contributions that lead to the improvement of our long-term business performance and increased stockholder value. To achieve this goal, we have developed the following compensation objectives:

•

Provide competitive compensation that attracts and retains top-performing NEOs;

•

Link NEO compensation to the success of our business and performance objectives;

•

Motivate NEOs to achieve results that exceed our plan targets;

•

Align the interests of NEOs and stockholders through the managed use of long-term incentives; and

•

Promote teamwork among NEOs by considering internal equity in setting compensation levels.

Pay for Performance. Underlying our core objectives is our pay for performance philosophy. We believe that the majority of each NEO’s target total direct compensation should be “performance-based”—that is, contingent upon the overall performance of our business and individual performance. As shown in the graph below, we structure our compensation mix such that approximately 90% of our CEO’s target total direct compensation is performance-based, and approximately 80% of target total direct compensation is performance-based for our other NEOs. We believe this direct and significant link between pay and performance is an effective way to motivate our NEOs to achieve key financial objectives and, ultimately, increase stockholder value.

LOGO

Role of Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee is responsible for determining NEO compensation. The Compensation Committee meets in the first quarter of each fiscal year to review and approve:

•

The achievement of financial performance goals for the prior fiscal year;

•

Annual incentive compensation, if earned, based on such achievement for the prior fiscal year;

•

Annual financial performance goals for the current fiscal year; and

•

The level and mix of NEO compensation for the current fiscal year.

Role of Compensation Committee Consultant. The Compensation Committee retained the services of Radford, an Aon Hewitt company, as an independent compensation consultant for fiscal 2011. Radford has served the Compensation Committee in this role since September 2006. In fiscal 2011, the services provided by Radford included:

•

Assisting in the selection of our peer group companies and applicable benchmarks;

•

Providing compensation survey data to benchmark NEO compensation;

•

Reviewing compensation data and advising on best practices for data collection;

•

Helping the Compensation Committee interpret compensation data;

•

Advising on the reasonableness and effectiveness of our NEO compensation levels and programs; and

•

Assisting in the review of NEO compensation disclosure in this Proxy Statement.

In addition, in 2011 Radford conducted a detailed review of our cash and equity compensation plans compared to market practices among our peers, to provide an independent view of the risks associated with our compensation programs, including those for our NEOs.

In addition to the fees we paid Radford for services provided to our Compensation Committee, we also paid $42,000 in fees to Radford during fiscal 2011 for access by our Human Resources department to Radford’s general employee compensation benchmarking data. The Compensation Committee reviewed the access fees and determined that they did not constitute a conflict of interest or prevent Radford from being objective in its work for the Compensation Committee.

Peer Group Comparisons. Our Compensation Committee reviews compensation data from a specific group of companies that are similar to us in scale and organizational complexity to establish guidelines for the compensation of our NEOs. For fiscal 2011, our Compensation Committee selected the peer group companies listed below because they: (1) were business or labor market competitors in the software (excluding gaming and e-commerce software companies) or fabless semiconductor industries; (2) generated revenues between $700 million and $3 billion; (3) had a market capitalization between $2 billion and $11 billion; and (4) had approximately 2,000 to 10,000 employees.

Altera Corporation

Autodesk, Inc.

BMC Software, Inc.

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

Citrix Systems, Inc.

Cypress Semiconductor Corporation

Intuit, Inc.

KLA-Tencor Corporation

LAM Research Corporation

Linear Technology Corporation

LSI Corporation

Marvell Technology Corporation

McAfee, Inc.

Mentor Graphics Corporation

Microchip Technology Corporation

Novellus Systems, Inc.

NVIDIA Corporation

Parametric Technology Corporation

Red Hat, Inc.

Salesforce.com, Inc.

VeriSign, Inc.

Xilinx, Inc.

Our Compensation Committee established a range between the 50^th and 60^th percentiles of our peer group as a guideline for fiscal 2011 NEO total direct compensation and each core element of NEO compensation, excluding our CEO’s base salary. As in past practice, the Compensation Committee set our CEO’s base salary below the 25^th percentile and provided him greater compensation opportunities in the form of performance-based cash compensation so that his target total direct compensation is between the 50^th and 60^th percentiles of our peer group. The Compensation Committee believes this compensation mix reinforces Dr. de Geus’ focus on exceeding our financial performance goals and increasing stockholder value.

Our Compensation Committee believes that peer group comparisons are useful guidelines to measure the competitiveness of our compensation practices. The Compensation Committee understands that no two companies are exactly alike, and it maintains the discretion to set levels of NEO compensation above or below levels paid by our peers based upon factors such as individual performance, an NEO’s level of experience and responsibilities, individual discussions with the NEO, and our compensation budget.

Role of Management. Our Compensation Committee discusses NEO performance assessments and compensation targets with Dr. de Geus (our CEO), our Senior Vice President of Human Resources, and our Vice President of Compensation and Benefits. To assess our CEO’s performance, the Compensation Committee oversees a comprehensive assessment process facilitated by our Senior Vice President of Human Resources. We also have an executive compensation team that provides relevant compensation data and background information and makes appropriate recommendations to help our Compensation Committee make effective decisions. No NEO is present for Compensation Committee decisions related to his individual compensation.

Annual Say-on-Pay Vote. Beginning with last year’s annual meeting, our stockholders have the opportunity to cast an annual advisory vote on our NEO compensation (say-on-pay vote). See Proposal 4 on page 33 of this Proxy Statement. At last year’s annual meeting, consistent with the recommendation of Synopsys’ Board of Directors, our stockholders overwhelmingly approved our NEO compensation and indicated by advisory vote their preference to hold a say-on-pay vote annually. After consideration of the voting results, and based upon its prior recommendation, our Board of Directors elected to hold a stockholder say-on-pay vote annually. Although the vote is non-binding, the Compensation Committee will consider the results of the say-on-pay vote when making compensation decisions allowing our stockholders to provide input on our compensation philosophy, policies and practices.

CORE ELEMENTS OF NEO TOTAL DIRECT COMPENSATION

Our three core elements of NEO total direct compensation are base salary, a cash incentive payment and equity-based awards.

Base Salary. Base salaries compensate our NEOs for expected levels of day-to-day performance. Our Compensation Committee generally believes that base salaries should be determined based on each individual’s role and responsibilities, our financial projections and budget for the coming year and historical salary levels. In addition, the Compensation Committee targets base salaries between the 50^th to 60^th percentiles of our peer group for each NEO other than Dr. de Geus. The Compensation Committee sets Dr. de Geus’ base salary below the 25^th percentile of our peer group, as described above.

Cash Incentive Payment. We use annual cash incentive compensation to align NEO performance with the near-term financial interests of our stockholders. These cash incentive payments are intended to motivate our NEOs to achieve our annual financial performance goals, which advance our long-term strategic plans. We grant cash incentive compensation opportunities under our 2006 Employee Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (2006 Employee Plan), which was approved by our stockholders in fiscal 2011.

Executive Incentive Plan. Potential cash incentive payments are calculated pursuant to our Executive Incentive Plan—162(m) (EIP), which was approved by the Compensation Committee in January 2010. The EIP is designed to provide “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. It provides a formulaic, objective determination of cash incentive compensation and provides the Compensation Committee with discretion to reduce potential cash incentive payments. The EIP caps actual cash incentive payments at the lesser of $2,000,000 or 200% of the NEO’s applicable target, regardless of the achievement level of our annual performance goals. The EIP requires the Compensation Committee to approve a target cash incentive payment, our annual performance goals and a payout matrix at the beginning of each fiscal year to calculate potential cash incentive payments.

Target Cash Incentive Payment. The target cash incentive payment is the amount of cash incentive compensation that our NEOs could earn if our financial performance goals for the fiscal year are achieved. Target cash incentive levels are expressed as a percentage of the NEO’s base salary and have not changed for the past three fiscal years, with the exception of Mr. Cabrera’s target, which was increased from 60% to 70% for fiscal 2011 to bring it to the benchmark level. The fiscal 2011 target cash incentive levels for our NEOs are listed below:


Name	Target Cash Incentive Payment (% of base salary)
Aart de Geus		240	%
Chi-Foon Chan		170	%
Brian M. Beattie		125	%
Joseph W. Logan		145	%
Brian E. Cabrera		70	%

For fiscal 2011, the target cash incentive amount for Dr. de Geus was set at greater than the 75^th percentile of our peer group. As in past practice, our Compensation Committee chose to provide Dr. de Geus the opportunity to offset his lower base salary through performance-based compensation that is directly linked to the success of our business. Our Compensation Committee believes this practice reinforces our strong pay for performance philosophy and emphasizes Dr. de Geus’ significant role in our performance. For each of our other NEOs, the target cash incentive payment is set above the 75^th percentile for our peer group, which is consistent with our pay-for-performance philosophy. The Compensation Committee reviews these benchmarks annually to ensure they provide adequate performance and retention incentives.

Performance Goals. The EIP incorporates annual performance metrics that support our core financial objectives of meeting our revenue and operating margin targets and encouraging a stable and predictable future revenue stream. The EIP separates these performance metrics into Corporate Financial Goals and a Revenue Predictability Goal. Each year the Compensation Committee sets specific financial targets based upon these metrics that it believes do not promote excessive or unnecessary risk-taking. Our Corporate Financial Goals and Revenue Predictability Goal, as well as our 2011 financial targets, are listed below:


Corporate Financial Goals		Fiscal 2011 Target
Current fiscal year GAAP revenue		FY2011 GAAP revenue – $1.525 billion
Current fiscal year non-GAAP operating margin(1)		FY2011 non-GAAP operating margin – 23.4%
Following fiscal year revenue backlog(2)		FY2012 revenue backlog – *(3)
Revenue Predictability Goal		Fiscal 2011 Target
Second following fiscal year revenue backlog(2)		FY2013 revenue backlog – *(3)

(1)	Non-GAAP operating margin is GAAP operating margin adjusted to eliminate the effect of stock compensation, acquisition-related costs, amortization of intangible assets and certain unusual events.

(2)	Revenue backlog for a particular year is the portion of committed orders not yet recognized as revenue but that we expect to be recognized in that particular year, measured as of the end of the current fiscal year.

(3)

We consider our revenue backlog targets to be confidential and the disclosure of these targets would cause us competitive harm. Our Compensation Committee sets revenue backlog targets that it believes to be attainable in the absence of changes in overall economic conditions. In the past three fiscal years, revenue backlog targets were achieved in fiscal 2010 and 2011, but not in fiscal 2009.

The use of current fiscal year GAAP revenue and non-GAAP operating margin focuses our NEOs on current fiscal year performance, while the following two years of revenue backlog goals focus our NEOs on near-term future revenue and revenue predictability. We believe the exclusive use of corporate performance metrics, rather than a mix of corporate and individual metrics, fosters teamwork among our NEOs and reflects the importance of company-wide performance to stockholder value. We consider these performance metrics to be the best indicators of our financial performance and future prospects, and our Compensation Committee believes the consistent application of these measures allows our NEOs to focus on growth and performance.

Payout Matrix. Each year our Compensation Committee also approves a payout matrix, within the parameters established by the EIP, showing the percentage of the target cash incentive payment that could be earned at different levels of performance achievement. Pursuant to the EIP, we must achieve a minimum weighted average of 90% of our Corporate Financial Goals before our NEOs can earn any cash incentive payments. At the 90% threshold, no more than 67.5% of the NEO’s target cash incentive payment can be earned. The EIP is structured in this way to provide a limited payment opportunity when performance goals are narrowly missed. We believe this limits our exposure to excessive risk-taking that can arise with an “all or nothing” performance condition. We believe our minimum threshold achievement level is higher, and therefore more demanding, than the minimum thresholds of our peer group companies and have structured the payout this way to account for the predictability of our recurring revenue model.

For fiscal 2011, our Compensation Committee approved a payout matrix that allows our NEOs to earn 100% of their 2011 target cash incentive payments if we achieve 100% performance levels, which is in alignment with incentive compensation plans for our other employees. Unlike incentive compensation plans for our other employees, the threshold for underperformance is set at 90% weighted average attainment; we believe this 90% achievement level is well above market norms, and it is 10% above our broad-based employee bonus compensation plans. The following table provides excerpts from the 2011 payout matrix:


Weighted-Average Achievement of Corporate Financial Goals	Corporate Financial Payout Factor(1)
<90%		0.0	%
90%		67.5	%
100%		100	%
103%		112.7	%
>125%		150	%

(1)	The actual percentage is interpolated based upon one-quarter percent increments of achievement. For example, if we achieve our Corporate Financial Goals at a weighted average of 101.75% then the Corporate Financial Payout Factor is 107.39%.

Corporate Financial Payout Factor. To determine the Corporate Financial Payout Factor, we take the weighted-average achievement of our three Corporate Financial Goals and match the level of achievement to the corresponding percentage on the payout matrix. Each of the Corporate Financial Goals is equally weighted (i.e., 33.3% each) to encourage our NEOs to focus not only on current financial goals, but also the achievement of near-term future revenue.

Revenue Predictability Payout Factor. If we achieve greater than 100% of our Revenue Predictability Goal, the EIP provides a Revenue Predictability Payout Factor, which is an additional multiplier expressed as a percentage. For fiscal 2011, if we achieved more than 100% of our Revenue Predictability Goal, then actual NEO variable cash incentive payments would be multiplied by a percentage ranging from 100% to 150%. Under-performance against the Revenue Predictability Goal does not decrease potential cash incentive payments. The Compensation Committee believes that the Revenue Predictability Payout Factor encourages our NEOs to maximize their efforts to achieve a stable and predictable future revenue stream.

Corporate Financial Goal (CFG) Multiplier. If we achieve a weighted average of greater than 100% of our Corporate Financial Goals, a multiplier will be applied to increase the potential cash incentive payment. For fiscal 2011, this CFG Multiplier was 1.10. The Compensation Committee reserves the right to reduce potential cash incentive payments to the extent of the CFG Multiplier in its sole discretion. The Compensation Committee believes that the CFG Multiplier encourages our NEOs to maximize their efforts to achieve outstanding current results for our stockholders.

EIP Payment Formula. The following formula demonstrates the calculation of the potential cash incentive payments after the completion of our fiscal year:

LOGO

Actual Cash Incentive Payments. Actual cash incentive payments for a given fiscal year are only approved after the Compensation Committee has reviewed the potential cash incentive payment calculations and factored in other material information not incorporated into the payout formula, such as the impact of acquisition activity for the year and individual performance. However, our Compensation Committee only has the ability to reduce potential cash incentive payments and in no event can actual cash incentive payments exceed the lesser of $2,000,000 or 200% of the NEO’s respective target cash incentive payment to maintain favorable Section 162(m) tax treatment.

Equity-Based Awards. We believe that equity-based awards are an effective way to align the interests of our NEOs with the long-term interests of our stockholders. They provide a long-term retention incentive to our NEOs through the financial benefit received upon the achievement of business objectives that increase long-term stockholder value. Equity-based awards are granted under our 2006 Employee Plan. Currently, our Compensation Committee grants to our NEOs stock options with time-based vesting and performance-based restricted stock units (RSUs), which are eligible to vest only upon achievement of pre-established performance criteria, followed by time-based vesting.

The total number of equity awards granted to each NEO is based on an estimated target value. The Compensation Committee chooses a target value using a range of values between the 50^th and 75^th percentiles of our peer group for guidance. The Compensation Committee also considers our financial projections and equity budget for the coming year, as well as each individual NEO’s role and

responsibilities (to reflect internal pay equity between NEOs and our employees in general). To determine the estimated target value of stock option awards, we use a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. For performance-based RSUs, we assume 100% achievement of the RSUs’ performance component and use an estimated closing price for our common stock on the expected grant date. The grant date value of the equity awards does not correspond to the actual value that may be realized by an NEO upon vesting or exercise of such awards.

After choosing the target value for each NEO’s equity awards, the Compensation Committee divides the value into approximately equal allocations between stock options and RSUs. The Compensation Committee believes this ratio is appropriate because it encourages our NEOs to focus both on near term results (through the performance component of the RSUs) and long-term value creation (through contributions to sustained increases in our stock price). To calculate the actual number of stock option shares and RSU shares to be granted, the Compensation Committee currently uses a ratio of three stock option shares to each RSU share. Therefore, our NEOs receive approximately three times as many stock option shares as RSU shares, which is within current standard market practice.

Stock Options. Our Compensation Committee believes that stock options are an important form of long-term incentive compensation because they are only valuable if our stock price increases over time. As a result, our NEOs’ interests are directly linked to our long-term business objectives through the appreciation of our stock price. The Compensation Committee sets the exercise price of stock options at the closing price of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the date of a pre-scheduled Compensation Committee meeting at which the stock option is granted. Stock options generally vest based on continued service over four years.

Performance-Based RSUs. The Compensation Committee believes that RSUs further align the interests of our NEOs with the interests of our stockholders because the value of each RSU increases or decreases directly with our stock price. Additionally, the grant date value of one share of stock subject to an RSU, using customary valuation principles, is greater than the value of one share of stock subject to a stock option, allowing us to better manage stockholder dilution by awarding fewer RSUs relative to stock options. In line with our overall philosophy of pay for performance, the Compensation Committee only grants RSUs that are subject to performance criteria, except in the event of new hire, promotional or special recognition awards.

The RSUs granted to our NEOs (other than new hire, promotional, or special recognition grants) have both a performance component and a time-based vesting component. Each RSU award is granted at the maximum number of shares (Maximum RSU Shares) that can be earned if we achieve a specific non-GAAP net income goal (RSU Goal). (Non-GAAP net income is GAAP net income adjusted for stock compensation, acquisition-related costs, amortization of intangible assets and certain unusual events.) The fiscal 2011 RSU Goal was non-GAAP net income of $248.8 million. The Compensation Committee uses non-GAAP net income because it is an important measure of our success and other performance measures, such as revenue and operating margin, are already incentivized through our EIP. The actual number of RSU shares that are earned and become eligible to vest is determined according to the following achievement levels:

Achievement Level 1

<95% of RSU Goal

Achievement Level 2

95% of RSU Goal

Achievement Level 3

>95% of RSU Goal

Achievement Level 4

> 100% of RSU Goal

The entire RSU award

is cancelled and no

shares are eligible to

vest.

The number of

Maximum RSU Shares

eligible for vesting is

reduced to 50%.

The number of
Maximum RSU
Shares is reduced
such that between
50% and 99% of
the Maximum RSU
Shares are eligible
to vest.(1)

100% of the
Maximum RSU
Shares are eligible
for vesting.

(1)	The number of Maximum RSU Shares is reduced by a percentage that is determined by linear interpolation between 50% and 0%.

The Compensation Committee establishes a range of performance levels between 95% and 100%, rather than a single performance level, to provide our NEOs a partial award for substantially achieving our RSU Goal. The Compensation Committee believes this limits the incentive for excessive risk-taking if there were only a single “all or nothing” performance level. Once the RSU Goal is achieved, only 25% of the RSU shares that are eligible to vest become vested. The remaining eligible RSU shares vest annually over the following three years, provided the NEO continues to remain employed by Synopsys, for added retention and long-term focus.

ACTUAL FISCAL 2011 NEO COMPENSATION

This section discusses the actual fiscal 2011 total direct compensation of our NEOs. In fiscal 2011, approximately 90% of our CEO’s actual total direct compensation was performance-based, and 84% of the actual total direct compensation of our other NEOs was performance-based. We achieved a weighted average of 104.5% of our EIP performance goals, and exceeded the Revenue Predictability Goal by more than 30%, thus delivering greater visibility for future revenue streams. As a result, performance-based cash compensation increased from fiscal 2010 for all of our NEOs. The performance of fiscal 2011 financial goals was the principal driver for increases in actual total direct compensation of our NEOs.

Base Salary. Our Compensation Committee elected not to increase NEO base salaries for fiscal 2011. The Compensation Committee based this decision on the fact that fiscal 2011 base salary levels remained within the 50^th percentile of our peer group for fiscal 2011 for each NEO other than Dr. de Geus, whose base salary was below the 25^th percentile of our peer group.

Cash Incentive Payment. Our achievement against the EIP performance goals in fiscal 2011 was as follows:


Corporate Financial Goals	Weight			FY2011 Target			FY2011 % Achieved
FY2011 GAAP revenue		33.33	%	$	1.525 billion			100.7	%
FY2011 non-GAAP operating margin		33.33	%		23.4	%		95.3	%
FY2012 revenue backlog(1)		33.34	%		*(2	)		117.3	%
Revenue Predictability Goal				FY2011 Target			FY2011 % Achieved
FY2013 revenue backlog(1)		—			*(2	)		133.2	%

(1)	Revenue backlog for a particular year is the portion of committed orders not yet recognized as revenue but that we expect to be recognized in that particular year, measured as of the end of the current fiscal year.

(2)

In December 2011, the Compensation Committee met with Dr. Aart de Geus to discuss the performance and the cash incentive payment calculations of each of the NEOs. The Compensation Committee agreed with the assessment provided by Dr. de Geus regarding the individual impact and contributions of our NEOs and his recommendations regarding cash incentive payment amounts. As a result, the Compensation Committee determined the following:

Dr. Chi-Foon Chan, President and Chief Operating Officer—Dr. Chan delivered superior results as he led the technology business and field organization to achieve critical customer wins, substantial technology advancements and continued market expansion in the Far East. In addition, Dr. Chan was instrumental in his advocacy for and the successful integration of our acquisitions for the year.

Brian Beattie, Chief Financial Officer—Under Mr. Beattie’s leadership, we delivered better than expected earnings per share performance through prudent cash management, timely collections and careful expense management in fiscal 2011.

Joseph Logan, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales—Mr. Logan and his global sales force delivered revenue above plan in an unstable business environment. Mr. Logan led his organization to integrate newer technologies acquired throughout the last few years and link value to our existing suite of superior platforms and tools. Solving our customers’ problems and enabling advanced design is the focus of our highly skilled field organizations.

Brian Cabrera, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary—Under Mr. Cabrera’s leadership, we prevailed in ongoing appellate litigation, advanced our disciplined approach to corporate governance and continued to expand our patent portfolio. In addition, Mr. Cabrera provided essential counsel on our strategic transactions.

At this same December meeting, Dr. de Geus recommended that his calculated cash incentive payment, which amount would have totaled $2,000,000, be substantially reduced in order to maintain greater parity and alignment with the executive team and the employee base overall. Dr. de Geus feels strongly that the company excels as a team, not as a collection of individuals. His commitment to and passion for ensuring appropriate remuneration for all Synopsys staff is a driving factor in reallocating 25% of his earned cash incentive to employees other than our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee recognized Dr. de Geus’ outstanding leadership in exceeding our financial goals, growing our core business, and expanding into adjacent markets in fiscal 2011, and they honored Dr. de Geus’ desire to reallocate a portion of his bonus to other non-named executive officers, therefore reducing his calculated cash incentive payment.

After careful consideration and discussion with the full Board regarding the foregoing, the Compensation Committee approved the following fiscal 2011 cash incentive payments for Dr. de Geus and our other NEOs:


Name	Target Cash Incentive Payment		Actual Cash Incentive Payment
Aart J. de Geus	$	1,200,000	$	1,500,000
Chi-Foon Chan	$	765,000	$	1,450,000
Brian M. Beattie	$	500,000	$	860,000
Joseph W. Logan	$	517,940	$	942,800
Brian E. Cabrera	$	227,500	$	400,000

Equity-Based Awards. The following table shows the grant date fair value of the stock option awards and the Maximum RSU Shares granted to our NEOs in fiscal 2011, as well as the number of Maximum RSU Shares earned. We reported $270.3 million in non-GAAP net income in fiscal 2011, 108.6% of our fiscal 2011 RSU Goal of $248.8 million, and accordingly the Maximum RSU Shares became eligible to vest and 25% of those eligible shares vested.


Name	Stock Options (1)		Maximum RSU Shares		Actual RSU Shares Earned and Eligible for Vesting (2)		Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Awards
Aart J. de Geus		200,000		66,700		66,700	$	3,208,212
Chi-Foon Chan		115,000		38,300		38,300	$	1,843,328
Brian M. Beattie		55,000		18,300		18,300	$	881,130
Joseph W. Logan		55,000		18,300		18,300	$	881,130
Brian E. Cabrera		32,500		10,800		10,800	$	520,306

(1)	Stock options vest ¹/16^th every three months over a period of four years, as long as the NEO provides continuous service to us.

(2)	The RSU Goal was achieved at 108.6% and accordingly 25% of the Maximum RSU Shares vested on December 23, 2011. The remaining 75% of the Maximum RSU Shares is scheduled to vest in three equal annual installments beginning on December 8, 2012, as long as the NEO provides continuous service to us.

Other Benefits and Policy Considerations

General Health and Welfare Benefits. Our NEOs are eligible to participate in a variety of employee benefit plans on the same terms as our other employees, including medical, dental and vision care plans, life and disability insurance, our tax-qualified 401(k) plan, and our Employee Stock Purchase Plan. We believe these benefits are consistent with benefits provided by our peer group and help us to attract and retain high quality executives.

Perquisites & Other Benefits. No special executive benefits were provided to our NEOs in fiscal 2011. The Compensation Committee generally does not provide perquisites or other special executive benefits to our NEOs. Any decision in a given year to do so is made on a case-by-case basis, after a cost-benefit analysis of the particular benefit as well as a review of peer data regarding such benefits.

Deferred Compensation Plans. Although our NEOs are eligible to participate in our tax-qualified 401(k) plan, the Internal Revenue Code limits the dollar amount of deferrals an employee can make. Therefore, our NEOs are able to save, on a tax deferral basis, a lower percentage of their compensation. To compensate for these limitations, in 1996 the Compensation Committee established a deferred compensation program, which is currently administered through two deferred compensation plans (one of which is “grandfathered” and closed to new participants). Pursuant to these plans, our NEOs and other highly compensated employees may elect to defer up to 50% of their respective base salary and up to 100% of their respective cash incentive compensation. Distributions from the deferred compensation plans are generally payable upon termination of employment over five to 15 years or as a lump sum payment, at the option of the NEO. We do not make any matching or discretionary contributions to the plans, there are no guarantees or minimum return on investment provisions, and undistributed amounts under the plans are subject to the claims of our creditors. We offer this benefit because it provides a tax benefit for the participating employee at a relatively low cost to us and is a benefit provided by a number of companies in our peer group.

Severance and Change of Control Benefits

Executive Change of Control Severance Benefit Plan. For the benefit of certain key executives, we maintain an Executive Change of Control Severance Benefit Plan (Severance Plan), which was

approved by our Board of Directors in fiscal 2006 and amended in fiscal 2008. Each of our NEOs is covered under the Severance Plan, except Drs. de Geus and Chan, whose benefits are described below. The Severance Plan is designed to provide for limited cash and equity benefits in the event an executive’s employment is terminated in connection with a change of control. By providing limited compensation certainty to our executives, the Compensation Committee believes we are better able to retain the focused services of our executives during a change of control transaction, which helps maintain company-wide business stability during a potentially volatile period. The Compensation Committee believes the benefits provided by the Severance Plan are comparable to the benefits offered by our peer group, which allows us to attract top executives and maintain a consistent management team.

The Severance Plan only provides benefits to an eligible executive in the event of: (1) an involuntary termination of the executive’s employment without cause during the period 30 days before or 12 months after a change of control; or (2) a constructive termination of the executive’s employment within 12 months after a change of control. The Severance Plan does not provide benefits if the executive’s employment is terminated voluntarily or for cause. The terms change of control, involuntary termination without cause, and constructive termination are defined in the Severance Plan. To receive benefits, the executive must sign a release and severance agreement and, upon written request, enter into an 18-month non-competition agreement. We are not required to pay any tax gross-up amounts under the Severance Plan. In addition, any benefits provided under the Severance Plan are subject to immediate termination, or recovery, under certain circumstances, such as a breach of our proprietary information or confidentiality agreements, a breach of our non-solicitation and non-compete agreements, or interference with our existing business relationships.

Our potential payment obligations under the Severance Plan are described in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below on page 62 of this Proxy Statement.

Severance and Change of Control Arrangements for Dr. Aart de Geus and Dr. Chi-Foon Chan. We provide severance and change of control benefits to Drs. de Geus and Chan in their respective employment agreements, which were entered into in fiscal 1997 and amended in fiscal 2008. Drs. de Geus and Chan are not eligible to participate in the Severance Plan described above. As with our other NEOs, we believe that these cash and equity severance benefits are reasonable and help promote stability, retain the focused services of Drs. de Geus and Chan in the event of a change of control transaction, and are comparable to the benefits provided by our peer group to similarly situated executives.

The severance and change of control provisions are the same for each agreement. Benefits are only provided in the event of: (1) an involuntary termination of employment without cause within 24 months following a change of control; (2) a voluntary resignation of employment for good reason within 24 months following a change of control; or (3) an involuntary termination of employment without cause. The terms change of control, involuntary termination, cause, and good reason are defined in the agreements. To receive benefits, Drs. de Geus and Chan must sign a waiver and release of claims. We are not required to pay any tax gross-up amounts under these agreements.

Our potential payment obligations under the employment agreements of Drs. de Geus and Chan are described in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below on page 62 of this Proxy Statement.

Equity Plans. Our equity incentive plans generally provide that if all outstanding equity awards granted under our plans are not assumed, replaced or otherwise continued by the surviving or acquiring company in certain corporate transactions, such equity awards will fully vest. Corporate transactions under the plans generally include a sale or other disposition of more than 50% of our outstanding

securities, a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, a merger or consolidation after which we are not the surviving corporation, or a merger or consolidation after which we are the surviving corporation, but our outstanding shares are converted into other property. We provide this benefit to all employees who hold equity awards under our plans, including our NEOs, to ensure the stable and focused service of our employees during a potentially uncertain period. This allows our employees to work diligently toward the completion of a potential corporate transaction that would maximize stockholder value even though their own equity awards would not otherwise survive the transaction.

Other Policy Considerations

Stock Ownership Guidelines. Our Compensation Committee has maintained stock ownership guidelines since fiscal 2003 to further align the interests of our senior management with those of our stockholders. Under our current guidelines, individuals employed in certain specified positions are encouraged to achieve the recommended stock ownership level within four years. The stock ownership recommendations related to our NEOs are: Dr. de Geus – 50,000 shares; Dr. Chan – 25,000 shares; Mr. Beattie – 10,000 shares; Mr. Logan – 10,000 shares; and Mr. Cabrera – 7,500 shares. As of January 13, 2012, each of our NEOs either held the recommended number of shares or was within the four year window to attain compliance.

Equity Grant Timing Policy. We generally award equity grants to executives at the beginning of each fiscal year at a pre-scheduled Compensation Committee meeting. With respect to stock option grants, the Compensation Committee sets the exercise price at the closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the date of the meeting at which the stock option is granted. In the event the meeting falls before the release of our financial results, the Compensation Committee will approve the stock option grants prior to the release of our financial results, but set the exercise price at the closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the second trading day following the release of our financial results.

Burn Rate. Each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee approves an annual gross equity budget to effectively manage our equity compensation share reserve and stockholder dilution. It tries to ensure that our gross burn rate approximates the average rate for our peer group as well as the software and services industry in general. Our gross burn rate for each of the last several years was well within the guidelines recommended by independent shareholder advisory groups, including Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS).

Tax Deductibility of NEO Compensation. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally limits the amount of compensation we may deduct for annual federal income tax purposes to $1 million for our NEOs. However, compensation which qualifies as “performance-based” under Section 162(m) is excluded from the $1 million limit. The performance-based cash and equity compensation awarded to our NEOs by the Compensation Committee for fiscal 2011 was intended to be “performance-based” compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m). Although our Compensation Committee considers the deductibility of the compensation it awards, it retains the flexibility to award compensation that is consistent with our objectives even if it does not qualify for a tax deduction.

“Clawback” Policy. In December 2008, our Board of Directors adopted a Compensation Recovery Policy, which allows us to recover or “clawback” compensation paid to covered employees under certain circumstances. Pursuant to the policy, we may require a covered employee to reimburse all, or a portion of any, compensation paid or received after January 1, 2009, if: (1) the compensation was based on the achievement of financial results that were the subject of a substantial restatement of our financial statements as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and (2) less compensation would have been earned by the employee based on the restated financial results. Our Board of Directors has the sole authority to enforce this policy and it is limited by applicable law. Each of our NEOs is subject to our Compensation Recovery Policy.

Hedging Transactions. Under our insider trading policy, our employees, including our NEOs, are prohibited from engaging in hedging transactions in shares of our common stock.

FISCAL 2012 TARGET NEO COMPENSATION DECISIONS

In determining fiscal 2012 NEO target total direct compensation, our Compensation Committee remained consistent with past practice. Performance-based compensation continues to be targeted at 90% percent of total direct compensation for our CEO and 80% for our other NEOs. Additionally, total direct compensation for our NEOs was targeted at not more than the 50^th to 60^th percentiles of our peer group.

•

Base Salaries—The Compensation Committee again elected not to increase NEO base salaries for fiscal 2012, except for Mr. Cabrera, whose base salary was increased by 8.6% to bring it within the benchmark range.

•

Cash Incentive Payments—The Compensation Committee did not increase target cash incentive payments for fiscal 2012 as the existing levels were within the targeted benchmark range. The Compensation Committee also maintained the financial performance metrics set forth in the EIP for fiscal 2012. Our Compensation Committee believes that the fiscal 2012 EIP performance goals are realistically possible to achieve, but not easily achievable.

•

Equity-based Awards—The Compensation Committee approved long-term equity awards to the NEOs for fiscal 2012 representing a mix (based on value) of approximately 50% stock options subject to time-based vesting and 50% RSUs (with one RSU being considered equivalent to three stock options) subject to a performance component and time-based vesting, as discussed above. As in past practice, the financial performance metric for the RSUs is non-GAAP net income. Our Compensation Committee believes that our RSU performance goal is realistically possible to achieve, but not easily achievable. The table below shows the equity grants awarded to our NEOs for fiscal 2012. It is especially noteworthy that due to Dr. de Geus’ average cash compensation position, compared to peers, the Compensation Committee strongly supported increasing his equity grant for fiscal 2012 to bring his total compensation more in line with our philosophy of matching the 50^th to 60^th percentiles of our peer group, and to recognize him for excellent continued performance. However, Dr. de Geus respectfully requested that his grant be held to fiscal 2011 levels to better ensure a smaller gap between his overall total direct compensation and that of his leadership team, especially with respect to Dr. Chan.


Name	Stock Options		Maximum RSU Shares(1)
Aart J. de Geus		200,000		66,700
Chi-Foon Chan		140,000		46,700
Brian M. Beattie		55,000		18,300
Joseph W. Logan		55,000		18,300
Brian E. Cabrera		35,000		11,700

(1)	The number of Maximum RSU Shares eligible to vest is based upon the achievement level of our FY2012 non-GAAP net income goal.

CONCLUSION

We remain strongly committed to our pay for performance philosophy. Through the compensation programs described above, the vast majority of each NEO’s compensation is contingent upon the achievement of our business goals. The Compensation Committee gives careful consideration to our NEO compensation program, including each core element of total direct compensation for each NEO. The Compensation Committee believes our NEO compensation program is effective at achieving its goals, reasonable in light of the programs of our peer group and responsible in that it encourages our NEOs to work for real innovation, business improvements and outstanding stockholder returns, without taking unnecessary or excessive risks.

Compensation Risk Assessment

Our Compensation Committee aims to establish company-wide compensation policies and practices that reward contributions to long-term stockholder value and do not promote unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. In furtherance of this objective, our Compensation Committee conducted an assessment of our compensation arrangements, including those for our NEOs. The assessment process included, among other things, a review of our (1) compensation philosophy, (2) peer group companies, (3) compensation mix and (4) cash and equity-based incentive plans. Our Compensation Committee also asked Radford, its independent compensation consultant, to perform a detailed review of our cash and equity-based compensation plans in comparison to market practices.

In its review, among other factors, our Compensation Committee considered the following:

•

Our revenue model and our cash incentive plan encourage our employees to focus on creating a stable, predictable stream of revenue over multiple years, rather than focusing on current year revenue at the expense of succeeding years.

•

The Compensation Committee believes that the distribution of compensation among our core compensation elements effectively balances short-term performance and long-term performance.

•

Our cash and equity-based incentive awards focus on both near-term and long-term goals and, in the case of equity-based incentive awards, provide for payouts over a four year period, to ensure that our NEOs remain focused on our performance beyond the immediate fiscal year.

•

Our cash and equity-based incentive awards contain a range of performance levels and payouts, to discourage executives from taking risky actions to meet a single target with an all or nothing result of compensation or no compensation.

•

Our EIP provides a cash cap on the maximum award size. In addition, the Compensation Committee retains negative discretion to reduce our NEOs’ incentive payments under the plan.

•

Our cash incentive payments and equity awards are subject to a clawback policy to recover compensation in the event of a substantial financial restatement.

•

Our executives are encouraged to hold a meaningful number of shares of our common stock pursuant to our stock ownership policy.

Based upon this assessment, our Compensation Committee does not believe that our company-wide compensation policies and practices create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table shows compensation awarded to, paid to, or earned by our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers, as determined by reference to compensation for fiscal 2011, for services performed during fiscal 2011, fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009.


Name and Principal Position	Year		Salary ($)		Bonus ($)		Stock Awards ($)(1)		Option Awards ($)(1)		Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)			All Other Compensation ($)			Total ($)(2)
Aart J. de Geus		2011	$	500,000	$	—	$	1,771,552	$	1,436,660	$	1,500,000	(3)	$	1,500	(4)	$	5,209,712
Chief Executive Officer		2010	$	500,000	$	—	$	1,278,710	$	1,085,948	$	1,500,000	(5)	$	1,500	(4)	$	4,366,158
Chief Executive Officer		2009	$	500,000	$	212,438	$	1,407,672	$	1,666,416	$	1,035,000	(6)	$	1,500	(4)	$	4,823,026
Chi-Foon Chan		2011	$	450,000	$	—	$	1,017,248	$	826,080	$	1,450,000	(3)	$	1,500	(4)	$	3,744,828
President and Chief Operating Officer		2010	$	450,000	$	—	$	840,800	$	714,048	$	1,334,160	(5)	$	1,674	(7)	$	3,340,682
President and Chief Operating Officer		2009	$	450,000	$	234,914	$	903,168	$	902,642	$	659,812	(6)	$	19,163	(8)	$	3,169,699
Brian M. Beattie		2011	$	400,000	$	—	$	486,048	$	395,082	$	860,000	(3)	$	2,050	(9)	$	2,143,180
Chief Financial Officer		2010	$	400,000	$	—	$	420,400	$	357,024	$	800,000	(5)	$	1,800	(9)	$	1,979,224
Chief Financial Officer		2009	$	400,000	$	116,369	$	469,224	$	555,472	$	431,250	(6)	$	1,700	(9)	$	1,974,015
Joseph W. Logan		2011	$	357,200	$	—	$	486,048	$	395,082	$	942,800	(3)	$	1,500	(4)	$	2,182,630
Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales		2010	$	357,200	$	—	$	420,400	$	357,024	$	903,287	(5)	$	1,500	(4)	$	2,039,411
Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales		2009	$	357,200	$	150,634	$	511,560	$	520,755	$	446,723	(6)	$	27,968	(10)	$	2,014,840
Brian E. Cabrera		2011	$	325,000	$	—	$	286,848	$	233,457	$	400,000	(3)	$	1,500	(4)	$	1,246,805
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary		2010	$	325,000	$	—	$	245,934	$	208,264	$	292,500	(5)	$	1,500	(4)	$	1,073,198
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary		2009	$	325,000	$	45,991	$	204,624	$	243,019	$	168,188	(6)	$	1,500	(4)	$	988,322

(1)

The amounts shown for stock awards and option awards represent the aggregate grant date fair value of such awards granted to the NEOs in fiscal 2011, fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009 as computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, Compensation —Stock Compensation, excluding the effect of forfeitures. For each award, the grant date fair value is calculated using the closing price of our common stock on the grant date and, in the case of performance-based restricted stock unit awards, assuming 100% probability of achievement of performance conditions as of the grant date. These amounts do not correspond to the actual value that may be realized by the NEO upon vesting or exercise of such awards. For information on the assumptions used to calculate the value of the awards, refer to Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(2)

Amounts exclude non-qualified deferred compensation earnings because we do not regard the returns from the investment alternatives selected by the executive for such earnings to be above-market or preferential as they are consistent with the types of investment opportunities generally provided to our employees under the tax-qualified 401(k) plan and Synopsys does not supplement or guarantee the returns on amounts deferred.

(3)	Amount consists of cash-based incentive compensation earned for the achievement of performance objectives in fiscal 2011 pursuant to the 2011 Executive Incentive Plan.

(4)	Amount consists of matching contributions made by Synopsys under our tax-qualified 401(k) plan, which provides for broad-based employee participation.

(5)	Amount consists of cash-based incentive compensation earned for the achievement of performance objectives in fiscal 2010 pursuant to the 2010 Executive Incentive Plan.

(6)	Amount consists of cash-based incentive compensation earned for the achievement of performance objectives in fiscal 2009 pursuant to the 2009 Executive Incentive Plan.

(7)

Amount consists of $1,500 in matching contributions made by Synopsys in fiscal 2010 under the tax-qualified 401(k) plan which provides for broad-based employee participation, and $174 of tax reimbursement related to a 20-year employment anniversary gift given to any employee that has been employed with us for 20 years.

(8)

Amount consists of $1,500 in matching contributions made by Synopsys in fiscal 2009 under the tax-qualified 401(k) plan which provides for broad-based employee participation as well as $17,663 relating to a whole life insurance premium paid on Dr. Chan’s behalf. We paid this life insurance premium for certain members of management in connection with an insurance component of our deferred compensation plans in order to obtain certain tax benefits for Synopsys. As a result, during fiscal 2009, Dr. Chan had forgone life insurance coverage that we provide to our employees generally. The $17,663 for fiscal 2009 represents the pro rata portion of the aggregate premium allocated to Dr. Chan based on the portion of the total benefit payable in the event of his death. Synopsys was the largest beneficiary under this policy. Dr. Chan’s beneficiaries would have received 2.5 times his annual salary in the event of his death. We elected to terminate the insurance component of our deferred compensation plans and, as a result, Dr. Chan’s life insurance policy was terminated on October 26, 2009. Beginning as of that date, he is covered under Synopsys’ employee-wide group term life insurance plan.

(9)

Amount consists of $1,500 in matching contributions made by Synopsys in fiscal 2011, fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009 under the tax-qualified 401(k) plan, which provides for broad-based employee participation, as well as $550 in fiscal 2011, $300 in fiscal 2010 and $200 in fiscal 2009 relating to matching charitable contributions made by The Synopsys Foundation on behalf of Mr. Beattie as part of a broad-based charitable matching program available to all U.S. Synopsys employees.

(10)

Amount consists of $1,500 in matching contributions made by Synopsys in fiscal 2009 under Synopsys’ tax-qualified 401(k) plan, which provides for broad-based employee participation, as well as $26,468 paid in fiscal 2009 for certain relocation expenses resulting from a relocation assistance agreement that Mr. Logan entered into with Synopsys in March 2007.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to grants of plan-based awards in fiscal 2011 to our NEOs, including cash awards and equity awards. The equity awards to our NEOs in fiscal 2011 were granted under our 2006 Employee Equity Incentive Plan.


			Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)						Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2)						All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)		All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)(3)		Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/ Sh)(4)		Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards(5)
Name	Grant Date		Threshold ($)		Target (#)		Maximum ($)		Threshold (#)		Target (#)		Maximum (#)						Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/ Sh)(4)		Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards(5)
Aart J. de Geus		12/9/2010	$	810,000	$	1,200,000	$	2,000,000		—		—		—		—		—	$	—	$	—
		12/9/2010	$	—	$	—	$	—		33,350		66,700		66,700		—		—	$	—	$	1,771,552
		12/9/2010	$	—	$	—	$	—		—		—		—		—		200,000	$	26.56	$	1,436,660
Chi-Foon Chan		12/9/2010	$	516,375	$	765,000	$	1,530,000		—		—		—		—		—	$	—	$	—
		12/9/2010	$	—	$	—	$	—		19,150		38,300		38,300		—		—	$	—	$	1,017,248
		12/9/2010	$	—	$	—	$	—		—		—		—		—		115,000	$	26.56	$	826,080
Brian M. Beattie		12/9/2010	$	337,500	$	500,000	$	1,000,000		—		—		—		—		—	$	—	$	—
		12/9/2010	$	—	$	—	$	—		9,150		18,300		18,300		—		—	$	—	$	486,048
		12/9/2010	$	—	$	—	$	—		—		—		—		—		55,000	$	26.56	$	395,082
Joseph W. Logan		12/9/2010	$	349,610	$	517,940	$	1,035,880		—		—		—		—		—	$	—	$	—
		12/9/2010	$	—	$	—	$	—		9,150		18,300		18,300		—		—	$	—	$	486,048
		12/9/2010	$	—	$	—	$	—		—		—		—		—		55,000	$	26.56	$	395,082
Brian E. Cabrera		12/9/2010	$	153,563	$	227,500	$	455,000		—		—		—		—		—	$	—	$	—
		12/9/2010	$	—	$	—	$	—		5,400		10,800		10,800		—		—	$	—	$	286,848
		12/9/2010	$	—	$	—	$	—		—		—		—		—		32,500	$	26.56	$	233,457

(1)

Represents possible cash awards for fiscal 2011 under the EIP. Cash awards paid to NEOs under the EIP are dependent on the achievement of certain performance targets, as well as the level of achievement. The amounts listed under the “Threshold” column represent the cash awards payable to NEOs under the EIP at a 90% weighted-average achievement of the Corporate Financial Goals described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 36 under the section titled “Cash Incentive Payment.” Pursuant to the EIP, if the weighted-average achievement of the Corporate Financial Goals is below 90%, no cash awards are paid. The amounts listed under the “Target” column represent the cash awards payable in fiscal 2011 at a 100% weighted-average achievement of the Corporate Financial Goals. The amounts listed under the “Maximum” column represent the maximum cash awards payable, which for each NEO equal the lesser of $2 million or 200% of the NEO’s target variable cash incentive compensation. Actual cash awards paid to the NEOs for fiscal 2011 are reported in the Summary Compensation Table on page 52 under the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column.

(2)

Represents stock awards that are eligible to vest only upon achievement of pre-established performance goals. Such awards are granted as restricted stock units and are converted into an equivalent number of shares of our common stock following vesting. The vesting criterion for the target award was the achievement of $248.8 million of non-GAAP net income for fiscal 2011, as further described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 36 under the section titled “Equity-Based Awards.” The amounts listed under the “Target” and “Maximum” columns represent the stock awards eligible to vest if 100%, or more than 100%, respectively, of such non-GAAP net income target is achieved. The amounts listed under the “Threshold” column represent the stock awards eligible to vest if 95% of the non-GAAP net income target is achieved. If less than 95% of the non-GAAP net income target is achieved, no stock awards are eligible to vest. As the target

vesting criterion was achieved at more than 100%, 25% of each respective maximum award vested on December 23, 2011, and the remaining 75% of each respective award is scheduled to vest in three equal annual installments beginning on December 8, 2012, so long as the NEO provides continuous services to us.

(3)	¹/16^thof such non-statutory stock options vested on the three month anniversary of the grant date and will continue vesting as to¹/16^th quarterly thereafter, so long as the NEO provides continuous services to us.

(4)	Represents the closing price of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on December 9, 2010, the effective date of grant of the awards described in note (3) above.

(5)

Represents the fair value of the stock and option awards on the grant date. These amounts do not correspond to the actual value that may be realized by the NEO upon vesting or exercise of such awards. For information on the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of the option awards, refer to Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2011 YEAR-END

The following table summarizes the number of securities underlying outstanding equity awards for our NEOs as of our fiscal year ended October 29, 2011:


			Option Awards											Stock Awards
Name	Grant Date		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable			Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)		Option Exercise Price ($)		Option Expiration Date		Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)			Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(1)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)			Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(1)
Aart J. de Geus		12/17/2001		116,000		—			—	$	28.085000		12/17/2011		—		$	—		—		$	—
		2/26/2002		31,000		—			—	$	24.700000		2/26/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		5/28/2002		36,000		—			—	$	25.735000		5/28/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		8/27/2002		30,000		—			—	$	22.280000		8/27/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/9/2002		60,000		—			—	$	21.725000		12/9/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		2/25/2003		16,500		—			—	$	20.460000		2/25/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		5/27/2003		16,600		—			—	$	29.280000		5/27/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		8/26/2003		11,500		—			—	$	33.295000		8/26/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2003		26,800		—			—	$	32.670000		12/10/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		2/24/2004		11,700		—			—	$	29.880000		2/24/2014		—		$	—		—		$	—
		5/26/2004		9,300		—			—	$	29.870000		5/26/2014		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/6/2005		200,000		—			—	$	20.730000		12/6/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/6/2005		90,000		—			—	$	20.730000		12/6/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/5/2006		163,000		—			—	$	26.090000		12/5/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2007		167,708		7,292	(2)		—	$	27.140000		12/10/2014		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2007		—		—			—	$	—		—		21,000	(3)	$	570,990		—		$	—
		12/10/2008		170,000		70,000	(4)		—	$	17.640000		12/10/2015		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2008		—		—			—	$	—		—		39,900	(5)	$	1,084,881		—		$	—
		12/4/2009		79,844		102,656	(6)		—	$	21.020000		12/4/2016		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/4/2009		—		—			—	$	—		—		45,624	(7)	$	1,240,517		—		$	—
		12/9/2010		37,500		162,500	(8)		—	$	26.560000		12/9/2017		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/9/2010		—		—			—	$	—		—		—		$	—		66,700	(9)	$	1,813,573
Chi-Foon Chan		12/17/2001		96,000		—			—	$	28.085000		12/17/2011		—		$	—		—		$	—
		2/26/2002		25,400		—			—	$	24.700000		2/26/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		5/28/2002		32,000		—			—	$	25.735000		5/28/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		8/27/2002		30,000		—			—	$	22.280000		8/27/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/9/2002		60,000		—			—	$	21.725000		12/9/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		2/25/2003		15,150		—			—	$	20.460000		2/25/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		5/27/2003		15,200		—			—	$	29.280000		5/27/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		8/26/2003		10,500		—			—	$	33.295000		8/26/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2003		22,600		—			—	$	32.670000		12/10/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		2/24/2004		9,600		—			—	$	29.880000		2/24/2014		—		$	—		—		$	—
		5/26/2004		7,700		—			—	$	29.870000		5/26/2014		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/6/2005		100,000		—			—	$	20.730000		12/6/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/6/2005		60,000		—			—	$	20.730000		12/6/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/5/2006		75,000		—			—	$	26.090000		12/5/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2007		95,833		4,167	(2)		—	$	27.140000		12/10/2014		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2007		—		—			—	$	—		—		11,000	(3)	$	299,090		—		$	—
		12/10/2008		92,083		37,917	(4)		—	$	17.640000		12/10/2015		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2008		—		—			—	$	—		—		21,650	(5)	$	588,664		—		$	—
		12/4/2009		52,500		67,500	(6)		—	$	21.020000		12/4/2016		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/4/2009		—		—			—	$	—		—		30,000	(7)	$	815,700		—		$	—
		12/9/2010		21,562		93,438	(8)		—	$	26.560000		12/9/2017		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/9/2010		—		—			—	$	—		—		—		$	—		38,300	(9)	$	1,041,377


			Option Awards											Stock Awards
Name	Grant Date		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable			Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options(#)		Option Exercise Price ($)		Option Expiration Date		Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)			Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(1)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)			Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(1)
Brian M. Beattie		12/5/2006		70,000		—			—	$	26.090000		12/5/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2007		57,500		2,500	(2)		—	$	27.140000		12/10/2014		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2007		—		—			—	$	—		—		6,875	(3)	$	186,931		—		$	—
		12/10/2008		32,666		23,334	(4)		—	$	17.640000		12/10/2015		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2008		—		—			—	$	—		—		13,300	(5)	$	361,627		—		$	—
		12/4/2009		26,250		33,750	(6)		—	$	21.020000		12/4/2016		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/4/2009		—		—			—	$	—		—		15,000	(7)	$	407,850		—		$	—
		12/9/2010		10,312		44,688	(8)		—	$	26.560000		12/9/2017		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/9/2010		—		—			—	$	—		—		—		$	—		18,300	(9)	$	497,577
Joseph W. Logan		9/19/2002		3,500		—			—	$	21.120000		9/19/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/2/2005		8,938		—			—	$	21.100000		12/2/2012		—		$	—		—		$	—
		9/13/2006		23,334		—			—	$	19.340000		9/13/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/5/2006		40,000		—			—	$	26.090000		12/5/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2007		33,541		1,459	(2)		—	$	27.140000		12/10/2014		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2007		—		—			—	$	—		—		4,250	(3)	$	115,558		—		$	—
		12/10/2008		53,125		21,875	(4)		—	$	17.640000		12/10/2015		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2008		—		—			—	$	—		—		12,500	(5)	$	339,875		—		$	—
		12/4/2009		26,250		33,750	(6)		—	$	21.020000		12/4/2016		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/4/2009		—		—			—	$	—		—		15,000	(7)	$	407,850		—		$	—
		12/9/2010		10,312		44,688	(8)		—	$	26.560000		12/9/2017		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/9/2010		—		—			—	$	—		—		—		$	—		18,300	(9)	$	497,577
Brian E. Cabrera		12/5/2006		30,000		—			—	$	26.090000		12/5/2013		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2007		26,833		1,167	(2)		—	$	27.140000		12/10/2014		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2007		—		—			—	$	—		—		3,500	(3)	$	95,165		—		$	—
		12/10/2008		9,479		10,209	(4)		—	$	17.640000		12/10/2015		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/10/2008		—		—			—	$	—		—		5,800	(5)	$	157,702		—		$	—
		12/4/2009		8,754		19,688	(6)		—	$	21.020000		12/4/2016		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/4/2009		—		—			—	$	—		—		8,775	(7)	$	238,592		—		$	—
		12/9/2010		6,094		26,406	(8)		—	$	26.560000		12/9/2017		—		$	—		—		$	—
		12/9/2010		—		—			—	$	—		—		—		$	—		10,800	(9)	$	293,652

(1)	The market value of stock awards was determined by multiplying the number of unvested or unearned shares by the closing price of our common stock of $27.19 on October 28, 2011, the last trading day of fiscal 2011, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

(2)

Option vests at a rate of ¹/16^thon the third monthly anniversary of the grant date and ¹/48^th per month thereafter, so long as the NEO provides continuous services to us. Accordingly, 6.25% of the underlying shares for these stock options became exercisable on March 10, 2008 and approximately 2% became exercisable each month thereafter until fully vested subsequent to fiscal year end on December 10, 2011.

(3)

These stock awards are granted as restricted stock units and are converted into an equivalent number of shares of our common stock following vesting. Such stock awards were eligible to vest only upon achievement of pre-established performance goals, namely the achievement of $242.6 million of non-GAAP net income for fiscal 2008. This goal was achieved, and accordingly, 25% of the awards vested on December 3, 2008, December 4, 2009 and December 4, 2010, respectively, and the remaining 25% vested subsequent to fiscal year end on December 23, 2011.

(4)

Option vests at a rate of ¹/16^thon the third monthly anniversary of the grant date and ¹/48^th per month thereafter, so long as the NEO provides continuous services to us. Accordingly, 6.25% of the underlying shares for these stock options became exercisable on March 10, 2009 and approximately 2% became and, so long as the NEO provides continuous services to us, will become, exercisable each month thereafter until fully vested on December 10, 2012.

(5)

These stock awards are granted as restricted stock units and are converted into an equivalent number of shares of our common stock following vesting. Such stock awards were eligible to vest only upon achievement of pre-established performance goals, namely the achievement of $232.0 million of non-GAAP net income for fiscal 2009. This goal was achieved, and accordingly, 25% of the awards vested on December 4, 2009, December 8, 2010 and subsequent to fiscal year end on December 23, 2011, and the remaining 25% are scheduled to vest on December 8, 2012, so long as the NEO provides continuous services to us.

(6)

Option vests at a rate of ¹/16^th on the third monthly anniversary of the grant date and ¹/16^th per quarter thereafter, so long as the NEO provides continuous services to us. Accordingly, 6.25% of the underlying shares for these stock options became exercisable on March 4, 2010 and approximately 6.25% became and, so long as the NEO provides continuous services to us, will become, exercisable quarterly thereafter until fully vested on December 4, 2013.

(7)

These stock awards are granted as restricted stock units and are converted into an equivalent number of shares of our common stock following vesting. Such stock awards were eligible to vest only upon achievement of pre-established performance goals, namely the achievement of $228.0 million of non-GAAP net income for fiscal 2010. This goal was achieved and, accordingly, 25% of the target awards vested on December 3, 2010 and subsequent to fiscal year end on December 23, 2011, and the remaining 50% are scheduled to vest in two equal annual installments beginning on December 8, 2012, so long as the NEO provides continuous services to us.

(8)

Option vests at a rate of ¹/16^th on the third monthly anniversary of the grant date and ¹/16^th per quarter thereafter, so long as the NEO provides continuous services to us. Accordingly, 6.25% of the underlying shares for these stock options became exercisable on March 9, 2011 and approximately 6.25% became and, so long as the NEO provides continuous services to us, will become, exercisable quarterly thereafter until fully vested on December 9, 2014.

(9)

These stock awards are granted as restricted stock units and are converted into an equivalent number of shares of our common stock following vesting. Such stock awards were eligible to vest only upon achievement of pre-established performance goals, namely the achievement of $248.8 million of non-GAAP net income for fiscal 2011 as further described in the “Equity-Based Awards” discussion in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section beginning on page 36. This goal was achieved and, accordingly, 25% of the target awards vested subsequent to the fiscal year end, on December 23, 2011, and the remaining 75% are scheduled to vest in three equal annual installments beginning on December 8, 2012, so long as the NEO provides continuous services to us.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN FISCAL 2011

The following table provides information with respect to all stock options exercised and the value realized upon exercise, and all stock awards vested and the value realized upon vesting, by our NEOs during fiscal 2011.


	Option Awards				Stock Awards
Name	Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)		Value Realized on Exercise ($)(1)		Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)(2)		Value Realized on Vesting ($)(3)
Aart J. de Geus		114,000	$	140,479		69,659	$	1,839,587
Chi-Foon Chan		145,000	$	533,831		42,025	$	1,110,095
Brian M. Beattie		241,000	$	1,377,762		24,525	$	647,956
Joseph W. Logan		2,167	$	12,906		21,000	$	555,128
Brian E. Cabrera		—	$	—		11,825	$	312,188

(1)

The value realized on exercise equals the difference between (a) either (i) the actual sales price of our common stock underlying the options exercised if the shares were immediately sold or (ii) the closing price per share of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the date of exercise if the shares were held and (b) the applicable exercise price of such stock options.

(2)	Such number of shares represents the gross number of shares acquired by the NEO on the vesting date. Synopsys withholds shares for tax purposes and the NEO actually receives a smaller number of shares.

(3)	The value realized on vesting equals the closing price per share of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the vesting date multiplied by the gross number of shares acquired on vesting as described above in note (2).

NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

We maintain a non-qualified deferred compensation program for a select group of management and highly compensated employees so that an eligible employee may elect, on a prospective basis, to defer the receipt of a portion of the compensation they receive from us. The program is administered in the form of two plans: the Synopsys Deferred Compensation Plan (referred to in this Proxy Statement as the Deferred Compensation Plan I) and the Synopsys Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan II (referred to in this Proxy Statement as the Deferred Compensation Plan II). The amount of earnings (or losses) that accrue on a participant’s account under either the Deferred Compensation Plan I or the Deferred Compensation Plan II depends on the performance of investment alternatives selected by the participant. The investment alternatives under both plans consist of various investment funds that are generally consistent with the investment opportunities provided to our employees under our 401(k) plan, which are selected and monitored by our Deferred Compensation Plans Committee. Therefore, we do not regard the returns from these investment alternatives as above-market or preferential. We do not supplement or guarantee the returns on amounts deferred under either plan. We have entered into a trust agreement, with a third party provider acting as trustee, to hold certain funds in connection with the program. All funds held in the trust are subject to the claims of our creditors.

The Deferred Compensation Plan I administers the elective deferrals made by eligible employees, including Dr. Chan, prior to January 1, 2005. No further contributions may be made to the Deferred Compensation Plan I; however, gains and losses and distributions and withdrawals continue to be processed on existing account balances in accordance with the terms of the Deferred Compensation Plan I as of December 31, 2004. All accrued balances maintained under the Deferred Compensation Plan I are fully vested. Amounts may be withdrawn from the plan pursuant to elections made by the participants in accordance with the terms of the Deferred Compensation Plan I, including elective withdrawals subject to a 10% forfeiture.

The Deferred Compensation Plan II was originally adopted in 2005 in order to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, and currently allows the deferral by eligible employees of up to 50% of salary and 100% of variable cash compensation. All account balances maintained under the Deferred Compensation Plan II are currently fully vested. However, we may, at our discretion, make contributions in the future toward participant balances, and those contributions may be made subject to vesting. To date, no such contributions have been made. Amounts may be withdrawn or distributed from the Deferred Compensation Plan II through pre-scheduled payments or upon death, retirement, disability, separation from service or a change in control of Synopsys, as elected in advance by the plan participant in accordance with the terms of the plan. Payments may be made in the form of a lump sum payment or installments.

The following table shows certain information for the NEOs under the Deferred Compensation Plans:


Name	Executive Contributions in Fiscal 2011 ($)(1)			Synopsys, Inc. Contributions in Fiscal 2011 ($)		Aggregate Earnings in Fiscal 2011 ($)(2)			Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions in Fiscal 2011 ($)		Aggregate Balance at End of Fiscal 2011 ($)
Aart J. de Geus	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
Chi-Foon Chan	$	—		$	—	$	247,087	(3)	$	—	$	4,095,853	(4)
Brian M. Beattie	$	200,000	(5)	$	—	$	54,924	(6)	$	—	$	1,056,582	(7)
Joseph W. Logan	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
Brian E. Cabrera	$	2,500	(8)	$	—	$	34	(6)	$	—	$	61,805	(9)

(1)	All contributions in fiscal 2011 were made under the Deferred Compensation Plan II.

(2)	Earnings from these investments are not reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table on page 52.

(3)	All of these aggregate earnings were accrued under the Deferred Compensation Plan I.

(4)	At end of fiscal 2011, the entire aggregate balance was subject to the Deferred Compensation Plan I and did not include any compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table.

(5)	Consists of $200,000 of variable compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column for services performed in fiscal 2010 although paid in fiscal 2011.

(6)	All aggregate earnings were accrued under the Deferred Compensation Plan II as of the end of fiscal 2011.

(7)

Includes (a) $200,000 of variable compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column for services performed in fiscal 2010 although paid in fiscal 2011 and (b) $136,905 of variable compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column for services performed in fiscal 2009 although paid in fiscal 2010. The entire aggregate balance at the end of fiscal 2011 was subject to the Deferred Compensation Plan II.

(8)	Consists of $2,500 of salary reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Salary” column for services performed in fiscal 2011.

(9)

Includes (a) $2,500 of salary reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Salary” column for services performed in fiscal 2011 (b) $16,250 of salary reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Salary” column for services performed in fiscal 2010 and (c) $16,250 of salary reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Salary” column for services performed in fiscal 2009. The entire aggregate balance at the end of fiscal 2011 was subject to the Deferred Compensation Plan II.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CHANGE OF CONTROL

Set forth below is a description of potential payments to our NEOs upon a termination of employment or a change of control. For additional information regarding the arrangements for such payments, please also refer to the “Severance and Change of Control Benefits” discussion in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section beginning on page 36.

Potential Payments Upon Involuntary Termination of Employment in connection with a Change of Control. The table below outlines the potential payments and benefits payable to each NEO in the event of the NEO’s involuntary termination in connection with a change in control of Synopsys, as if the involuntary termination in connection with a change of control had occurred as of October 29, 2011, the last day of fiscal 2011. The payments set forth below are payable to Dr. de Geus and Dr. Chan pursuant to their employment agreements and to Mr. Beattie, Mr. Cabrera and Mr. Logan pursuant to the Executive Change of Control Severance Benefit Plan.

In the event of an involuntary termination of their respective employment other than for cause within 24 months following a change of control of Synopsys, Dr. de Geus and Dr. Chan are each entitled to receive: (1) a lump-sum cash payment equal to two times his base compensation for the current fiscal year or the immediately preceding fiscal year, whichever is greater; (2) a lump-sum cash payment equal to two times his target incentive for the current fiscal year or, if there is no target incentive in effect for the current fiscal year, the highest target incentive in the preceding three fiscal years; (3) the estimated cash value of his health care premiums for 18 months, payable in a lump sum; and (4) full acceleration of all unvested stock options and other equity awards. Dr. de Geus and Dr. Chan must sign a release in order to receive benefits should a qualifying termination occur. Pursuant to their respective employment agreements, no benefits are paid if the employment termination is voluntary or for cause.

Mr. Beattie, Mr. Cabrera and Mr. Logan participate in the Executive Change of Control Severance Benefit Plan, which provides for benefits if the executive’s employment with us is terminated without cause within 30 days before or 12 months after a change of control or there is a constructive termination of the executive’s employment within 12 months after a change of control. The benefits consist of: (1) a cash severance payment equal to one year of base salary, payable in four equal quarterly payments; (2) one to two times the executive’s target annual bonus, depending upon the timing of the termination within our fiscal year, payable in four equal quarterly payments; (3) a lump-sum cash payment equal to the estimated cost of health care premiums for 12 months; and (4) full acceleration of all unvested stock options and other equity awards held by the executive at the time of termination. An executive must sign a severance agreement and a release and, upon the written request of Synopsys or the surviving corporation in the change of control, enter into an 18-month non-competition agreement in order to receive benefits should a qualifying termination occur. The plan does not provide any benefits if the executive’s employment termination is voluntary or for cause.


Name	Salary Continuation		Cash-Based Incentive Award			Continuation of Health & Welfare Benefits		Intrinsic Value of Unvested Stock Awards(1)		Intrinsic Value of Unvested Option Awards(1)
Aart J. de Geus	$	1,000,000	$	2,400,000		$	14,731	$	4,709,961	$	1,404,627
Chi-Foon Chan	$	900,000	$	1,530,000		$	18,335	$	2,744,831	$	837,657
Brian M. Beattie	$	400,000	$	500,000	(2)	$	12,223	$	1,453,985	$	459,356
Joseph W. Logan	$	357,200	$	517,940	(2)	$	17,372	$	1,360,860	$	445,370
Brian E. Cabrera	$	325,000	$	227,500	(2)	$	17,372	$	785,111	$	235,665

(1)	Amounts represent the intrinsic value of accelerated restricted stock units and stock options based upon the closing price per share of our common stock on October 28, 2011, the last trading day of fiscal 2011, of $27.19 as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

(2)

Our last day of fiscal 2011 was Saturday, October 29, 2011. Accordingly, for purposes of determining the amount of cash-based incentive award payable to each respective NEO in the event of his termination in connection with a change of control, such executive would only be entitled to one times his target annual bonus, given that as of such date, cash-based incentive awards for fiscal 2011 would be earned (if at all) under the EIP rather than the Executive Change of Control Severance Benefit Plan.

Potential Payments Upon a Change of Control. Pursuant to our equity plans, all of our employees receive full acceleration of the vesting of any unvested stock options or stock awards in the event that such equity awards are not assumed, continued or substituted by the surviving or acquiring company following a change of control of Synopsys. The table below outlines the potential payments and benefits payable to each NEO in the event of a change in control of Synopsys in which equity awards are not assumed, continued or substituted, as if the change of control had occurred as of October 29, 2011, the last day of fiscal 2011. Vesting acceleration of equity awards in the event that such equity awards are not assumed, continued or substituted is the only benefit provided to our NEOs in the event of a change of control in which the executive is not involuntarily terminated.


Name	Salary Continuation		Cash-Based Incentive Award		Continuation of Health & Welfare Benefits		Intrinsic Value of Unvested Stock Awards(1)		Intrinsic Value of Unvested Option Awards(1)
Aart J. de Geus	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	4,709,961	$	1,404,627
Chi-Foon Chan	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	2,744,831	$	837,657
Brian M. Beattie	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,453,985	$	459,356
Joseph W. Logan	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,360,860	$	445,370
Brian E. Cabrera	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	785,111	$	235,665

(1)	Amounts represent the intrinsic value of accelerated restricted stock units and stock options based upon the closing price per share of our common stock on October 28, 2011, the last trading day of fiscal 2011, of $27.19 as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

Potential Payments Upon Involuntary Termination of Employment. Dr. de Geus and Dr. Chan are the only NEOs who are entitled to severance benefits in the event their employment is involuntarily terminated not in connection with a change of control. No benefits are paid if their termination is voluntary or for cause. The table below outlines the potential amounts payable to each NEO in the event of such an involuntary termination, as if such event had occurred as of October 29, 2011, the last day of fiscal 2011. Pursuant to their respective employment agreements, Dr. de Geus and Dr. Chan would each receive: (1) a lump-sum cash payment equal to his base compensation during the fiscal year or immediately preceding fiscal year, whichever is greater; (2) a lump-sum cash payment equal to the target incentive then in effect or, if there is no target incentive in effect for such year, the highest target incentive in the three preceding years provided he does not engage in certain conduct for six months following the termination date; and (3) the estimated cash value of his health care premiums for 12 months, payable in a lump sum. Dr. de Geus and Dr. Chan must sign a release in order to receive benefits should a qualifying termination occur.


Name	Salary Continuation		Cash- Based Incentive Award		Continuation of Health & Welfare Benefits		Intrinsic Value of Unvested Stock Awards		Intrinsic Value of Unvested Option Awards
Aart J. de Geus	$	500,000	$	1,200,000	$	9,821	$	—	$	—
Chi-Foon Chan	$	450,000	$	765,000	$	12,223	$	—	$	—
Brian M. Beattie	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Joseph W. Logan	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Brian E. Cabrera	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Our non-employee directors are compensated for serving on our Board. We do not pay our employees who serve on our Board of Directors any additional compensation for Board membership. Our Compensation Committee, with the assistance of an independent compensation consultant, reviews from time to time the compensation we pay to our non-employee directors and recommends, as appropriate, adjustments to such compensation. The compensation we pay to our non-employee directors consists of cash compensation and equity awards. We also reimburse directors for out-of-pocket expenses for travel to Board meetings pursuant to our Corporate Travel Policy.

Cash. We pay non-employee directors an annual retainer of $125,000 for serving on our Board. We also pay a per meeting fee to members of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors equal to $2,000 per committee meeting ($4,000 for the Audit Committee chair), up to an annual maximum of $8,000 ($16,000 for the Audit Committee chair). The retainers and meeting fees are paid in advance in four equal payments at our regularly scheduled quarterly Board meetings.

Equity. Non-employee directors are eligible to receive equity awards under the 2005 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan. The plan provides for automatic grants of equity awards to non-employee members of our Board upon their initial appointment or election, and upon their re-election each year.

Initial Awards—New non-employee directors receive (1) an initial stock option for 30,000 shares, vesting in equal installments on the date preceding each of the first four annual stockholders’ meetings following the grant date, subject to continued Board service through each vesting date and (2) if appointed to our Board less than eleven months since the most recent annual meeting of stockholders, an “interim award,” in the form of stock options, representing an annual award prorated for the period of time remaining until the next annual meeting of stockholders.

Annual Awards—Each re-elected non-employee director receives an annual award comprised of either a stock option grant, a restricted stock grant or a combination of both, as determined by our Board each year. The annual award has an aggregate total “fair value” on the date of grant equal to the annual cash retainer of $125,000 described above. To the extent the annual award is in the form of a stock option, the award vests in 36 equal monthly installments after the grant date, subject to continued Board service. To the extent the annual award is in the form of restricted stock, the award vests in three equal annual installments on the day before each of the three annual meetings of stockholders immediately following the grant date, subject to continued Board service. In the event of a change of control or similar transaction, the vesting of unvested grants will generally accelerate unless assumed by the successor company. Our Board of Directors elected to receive restricted stock for the annual award for fiscal 2011 and, as a result, we issued 4,545 shares of restricted stock to each non-employee director.

The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation paid to our non-employee directors for services in fiscal 2011.


Name	Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)			Stock Awards ($)(1)		Option Awards ($)			Total ($)
Alfred Castino	$	133,000	(2)	$	124,988	$	—		$	257,988
Bruce R. Chizen	$	125,000		$	124,988	$	—		$	249,988
Deborah A. Coleman	$	141,000	(3)	$	124,988	$	—		$	265,988
Chrysostomos L. “Max” Nikias(4)	$	31,250		$	—	$	289,128	(5)	$	320,378
John G. Schwarz	$	125,000		$	124,988	$	—		$	249,988
Roy Vallee	$	133,000	(6)	$	124,988	$	—		$	257,988
Steven C. Walske	$	125,000		$	124,988	$	—		$	249,988

(1)

These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair values, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, of restricted stock awards issued pursuant to the 2005 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan. The grant date fair value of these awards is calculated using the closing price of our common stock of $27.50 on the grant date multiplied by the 4,545 shares granted to each non-employee director. These amounts do not correspond to the actual value that may be realized by the director upon vesting of such awards. Such stock awards vest in three equal annual installments on the day before each of the three annual meetings of stockholders immediately following the grant date.

(2)	Includes $8,000 paid to Mr. Castino, an Audit Committee member, for attendance at Audit Committee meetings in fiscal 2011.

(3)	Includes $16,000 paid to Ms. Coleman, the Audit Committee chair, for attendance at Audit Committee meetings in fiscal 2011.

(4)	Dr. Nikias joined the Board of Directors in July 2011.

(5)

This amount represents the aggregate grant date fair value, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, of initial stock option grants to purchase 42,147 shares of common stock made to Dr. Nikias, as a new non-employee director, under the 2005 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan on July 11, 2011 at an exercise price of $25.53 per share.

(6)	Includes $8,000 paid to Mr. Vallee, an Audit Committee member, for attendance at Audit Committee meetings in fiscal 2011.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Our Board of Directors is committed to sound and effective corporate governance practices. Accordingly, our Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are intended to describe the governance principles and procedures by which the Board functions. Our Board regularly reviews and evaluates these guidelines. Among other matters, the Corporate Governance Guidelines cover board composition, board membership criteria, director responsibilities, board committees, evaluation of our Chief Executive Officer, board self-assessment and succession planning. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website at http://www.synopsys.com/Company/AboutSynopsys/CorporateGovernance/Pages/GovGuidelines.aspx. Copies of the Corporate Governance Guidelines are also available in print upon written request to Investor Relations, Synopsys, Inc., 700 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043.

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

Our Board of Directors is committed to ethical business practices and, therefore, we have adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct applicable to all of our Board members, employees and executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) and Vice President, Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer). Synopsys has made the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct available on our website at http://www.synopsys.com/Company/AboutSynopsys/CorporateGovernance/Documents/EthicsBusConduct.pdf. Synopsys intends to satisfy the public disclosure requirements regarding (1) any amendments to the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, or (2) any waivers under the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct given to Synopsys’ Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer by posting such information on its website at http://www.synopsys.com/Company/AboutSynopsys/CorporateGovernance/Pages/Ethics.aspx.

Board Leadership Structure

Our Board of Directors believes it is important to have flexibility in selecting our Chairman and board leadership structure. Accordingly, our Corporate Governance Guidelines allow for the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to be held by the same person. The Board of Directors believes that it is currently in the best interest of Synopsys and its stockholders for Dr. de Geus to serve in both roles. Dr. de Geus co-founded Synopsys and has extensive knowledge of Synopsys, its industry and its culture. He has successfully navigated Synopsys through both strong and challenging periods, and his ability to speak as Chairman and CEO provides strong unified leadership for Synopsys.

Our guidelines also provide for the appointment of a Lead Independent Director in the event that the positions of Chairman and CEO are held by the same person, and Mr. Walske has served in that role since 2004. The responsibilities of our Lead Independent Director include:

•

Establishing the agenda for regular Board meetings;

•

Serving as chairperson of regular Board meetings when the Chairman is unavailable;

•

Presiding over executive sessions;

•

Serving as liaison between the CEO and the independent directors; and

•

Encouraging dialogue between the independent directors and management.

Our Board believes the role of Lead Independent Director provides an appropriate balance in Synopsys’ leadership to the combined role of Chairman and CEO, and that the responsibilities given to the Lead Independent Director help ensure a strong, independent and active Board.

Director Independence

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that a majority of our Board qualifies as independent directors in accordance with applicable federal securities laws and NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. Currently, each member of our Board, other than our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Aart de Geus, and Chief Operating Officer, Chi-Foon Chan, is an independent director. All standing committees of the Board are composed entirely of independent directors, in each case under NASDAQ’s independence definition. The NASDAQ independence definition includes a series of objective tests, such as that the director is not an employee of the company and has not engaged in various types of business dealings with the company. In addition, the Board has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationship exists which, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, the directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and Synopsys with regard to each director’s business and other activities as they may relate to Synopsys and our management. Based on this review and consistent with our independence criteria, the Board has affirmatively determined that the following directors, all of whom are standing for election to our Board, are independent: Alfred Castino, Bruce R. Chizen, Deborah A. Coleman, Chrysostomos L. “Max” Nikias, John Schwarz, Roy Vallee and Steven Walske.

Board Meetings and Committees

Our Board of Directors held four meetings during fiscal 2011. During the year, our Board maintained an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (referred to in this Proxy Statement as the Governance Committee). All such committees have written charters which are available on our website at http://www.synopsys.com/Company/AboutSynopsys/CorporateGovernance/Pages/BoardCommittees.aspx.

The following table summarizes the current composition of our Board committees:


Name	Audit Committee	Compensation Committee	Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

Aart J. de Geus Chairman of the Board

Chi-Foon Chan

Alfred Castino	—

Bruce R. Chizen		C	—

Deborah A. Coleman	C

Chrysostomos L. “Max” Nikias		—

John G. Schwarz			C

Roy Vallee	—

Steven C. Walske Lead Independent Director		—	—
— = Committee Member C = Committee Chairperson

During fiscal 2011, our Audit Committee held ten meetings. The current members are Ms. Coleman (Chair), Mr. Castino, and Mr. Vallee. The Audit Committee acts on behalf of our Board,

performing financial oversight responsibilities relating to (1) the integrity of our financial statements, financial reporting processes and systems of internal accounting and financial controls, (2) our internal audit function, (3) the annual independent audit of our financial statements, (4) the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm and evaluation of their performance and independence, (5) compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and (6) evaluation of enterprise risk issues. All members of our Audit Committee are considered independent under the applicable requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Our Board has determined that Ms. Coleman, Mr. Castino and Mr. Vallee each qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

During fiscal 2011, our Compensation Committee held five meetings. The current members are Mr. Chizen (Chair), Dr. Nikias and Mr. Walske. The membership of the Compensation Committee consisted of Mr. Chizen (Chair), Mr. Schwarz and Mr. Walske for all of fiscal 2011. In December 2011, after the end of fiscal 2011, Dr. Nikias replaced Mr. Schwarz on the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves our general compensation policies, sets compensation levels for our executive officers (including our CEO) and administers our equity incentive plan, employee stock purchase plan, deferred compensation plans and 401(k) plan. All members of our Compensation Committee, during fiscal 2011 and at present, are considered independent under the applicable listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures for considering and determining executive compensation are set forth under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 36.

During fiscal 2011, our Governance Committee held four meetings. The current members are Mr. Schwarz (Chair), Mr. Chizen and Mr. Walske. At the beginning of fiscal 2011, the Governance Committee consisted of all independent directors then on the Board, namely Mr. Walske (Chair), Mr. Castino, Mr. Chizen, Ms. Coleman, Mr. Schwarz and Mr. Vallee. Based on the Board’s review of benchmarking information and best practices, the Governance Committee membership was changed to the current three members effective on March 24, 2011. All members of our Governance Committee are considered independent under the applicable listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The Governance Committee identifies and recommends to our Board candidates for membership on our Board and Board committees, reviews Board performance, oversees matters of corporate governance, and reviews such other matters relating to our management as it deems appropriate. Our Governance Committee’s policy regarding consideration of director candidates submitted by stockholders is set forth below under “Director Nominations.” The Governance Committee recommended the nine nominees for election to our Board at the Annual Meeting.

Each director attended at least 75% of all Board and applicable committee meetings that were held while he or she was a member of our Board in fiscal 2011.

Executive Sessions

The independent directors meet in executive session without management directors or management present. These sessions take place prior to or following regularly scheduled Board meetings. The directors met in such sessions four times during fiscal 2011.

Risk Oversight

Our Board is responsible for the oversight of our company-wide risk management efforts and delegates the assessment and implementation of our day-to-day risk management policies to our management. Our Board is directly involved in overseeing risk management issues related to significant matters such as our overall business strategy, major strategic transactions and executive officer succession through its regular communications with management.

Additionally, each of our standing Board committees, namely the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Governance Committee, have individual oversight responsibilities:

•

Our Audit Committee oversees our financial reporting and controls, as well as the work performed by our independent registered public accounting firm and our internal audit function. The Audit Committee regularly discusses with management and our independent registered public accounting firm the major risks related to our financial reporting and controls, and the steps taken to monitor and control our exposure to those risks. In addition, under the supervision of the Audit Committee, we have established an anonymous and confidential ethics reporting system, which encourages and allows any employee to submit concerns directly to senior management and the Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee also oversees risks relating to our investments, financing activities and world-wide insurance programs and is responsible for reviewing and approving related person transactions.

•

Our Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing risks related to our cash and equity-based compensation programs and practices. Our Compensation Committee aims to establish compensation policies and practices that motivate contributions to long term stockholder value and do not promote unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. For additional information regarding the Compensation Committee’s assessment of our compensation-related risk, please see the section of this Proxy Statement titled “Compensation Risk Assessment” on page 51.

•

Our Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing risks related to our overall corporate governance, as well as any potential issues related to the composition and structure of our Board of Directors and its committees. In this regard, our Governance Committee conducts an annual evaluation of our Board and Board committees and periodically reviews Board member and executive officer succession plans. It also reviews and makes recommendations with respect to our corporate governance policies and principles, and the chairperson may investigate concerns raised through our confidential ethics reporting system, as applicable to our Board and its committees.

Share Ownership Guidelines

In order to better align the interests of our Board members and management with the interests of our stockholders, our Board of Directors adopted share ownership guidelines in fiscal 2003. These share ownership guidelines were amended in December 2008 to revise the ownership holdings for non-employee directors and were further amended in September 2009 to apply to certain additional members of management.

Under these guidelines, non-employee directors are expected to achieve a share ownership level with a value equal to three times the amount of each non-employee director’s annual cash retainer (excluding compensation for committee service) or 15,000 shares, within three years of initial election as a director, and maintain such ownership level, as measured each year on the date of the annual meeting of stockholders, so long as they serve in the position of director.

These guidelines recommend that covered members of management achieve share ownership levels within four years of appointment and maintain such ownership level so long as they serve in such positions as follows: Chief Executive Officer—50,000 shares; Chief Operating Officer—25,000 shares; Chief Financial Officer—10,000 shares; Senior Vice Presidents—10,000 shares; General Counsel—7,500 shares; all other Vice Presidents who are members of our “Corporate Staff”—7,500 shares; and Chief Accounting Officer—2,500 shares.

Each covered person is expected to meet the applicable guidelines within four years of becoming a covered person. The guidelines do not require any covered person to exercise stock options or to

purchase shares of our common stock on the open market solely to meet these guidelines. However, when stock options are exercised or shares are purchased under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the guidelines recommend that the covered person retain a number of shares of common stock equal to the lesser of 25% of the net value of shares of common stock acquired or vested (after deducting the exercise price, if any, and taxes at an assumed tax rate), or a number of shares necessary to reach such person’s applicable common share ownership guideline amount.

As of February 8, 2012, each director was compliant with the share ownership guidelines, or had not yet served for three years since his election as a director, and each NEO held the requisite number of shares, or had not yet been a covered person for four years, and accordingly was compliant with the share ownership guidelines.

Stockholder Communications with our Board of Directors

Stockholders who wish to communicate with our Board of Directors or one or more individual members of our Board may do so by sending written communications addressed to: Corporate Secretary, Synopsys, Inc., 700 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043. All stockholder communications we receive that are addressed to our Board of Directors will be compiled by our Corporate Secretary and forwarded to the specified director(s), if any. If the correspondence is not addressed to a particular director, such correspondence will be forwarded, depending on the subject matter, to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, or Governance Committee.

Board Attendance at Stockholders’ Meetings

Synopsys encourages director attendance at our annual stockholder meetings, but does not require attendance. Attendance by phone is permitted. All directors attended the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Director Qualifications

The Governance Committee has no stated specific or minimum qualifications that must be met by a Board candidate, and the Governance Committee uses the same selection criteria regardless of whether the candidate has been recommended by a stockholder or identified by the Governance Committee. However, all candidates for election or re-election should (1) have sufficient experience in the electronic design automation, semiconductor, electronics or technology industries to enable them to effectively help create and guide our business strategy, (2) be prepared to participate fully in Board activities, including preparation for, attendance at and active participation in, meetings of our Board of Directors, (3) not hold positions that would conflict with their responsibilities to us, (4) have a high degree of personal integrity and interpersonal skills, and (5) be prepared to represent the best interests of all of our stockholders and not just one particular constituency. Our Governance Committee also considers diversity in its assessment of potential candidates, including diversity of professional experience, education, skills and opinions, as well as diversity of personal background. Finally, the listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market and our own corporate guidelines require that at least a majority of the members of our Board qualify as independent directors in accordance with such standards.

The Governance Committee also believes that it is beneficial for at least one member, and preferably multiple members, of our Board to meet the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that a majority of the members of our Board meet the definition of “independent director” under the listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The Governance Committee also deems it to be appropriate for certain members of management to serve on our Board to provide our Board with an internal

perspective on the operations, management and culture of our business. When evaluating a candidate for Board membership, the Governance Committee does not assign specific weight to any of these factors nor does it believe that all of the criteria necessarily apply to every candidate. At a minimum, a director’s qualifications, in light of the above-mentioned criteria, are considered each time the director is nominated or re-nominated for Board membership.

Director Evaluations

On an annual basis, the Governance Committee conducts an evaluation of our Board of Directors, the functioning of the committees and each individual member of our Board.

Director Nominations

The Governance Committee considers candidates for Board membership suggested by our Board members and management. The Governance Committee has, on occasion, retained third-party executive search firms to identify independent director candidates. The Governance Committee will consider persons recommended by our stockholders in the same manner as a nominee recommended by Board members, management, or a third-party executive search firm. After completing the evaluation and review, the Governance Committee makes a recommendation to the full Board as to the persons who should be nominated to our Board of Directors, and our Board determines and approves the nominees after considering the recommendation and report of the Governance Committee.

Stockholders seeking to recommend a prospective nominee should follow the instructions under the heading “Stockholder Communications with our Board of Directors.” Stockholder submissions must include the full name of the proposed nominee, a description of the proposed nominee’s business experience for at least the previous five years, complete biographical information, a description of the proposed nominee’s qualifications as a director and a representation that the nominating stockholder is a beneficial or record owner of our stock. Any such submission must be accompanied by the written consent of the proposed nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected. The Governance Committee did not receive any stockholder nominations during fiscal 2011 or through the date of this Proxy Statement. There are no recent material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees for our Board.

Each director candidate recommended for election at the Annual Meeting is an existing director seeking re-election to our Board of Directors and was previously elected by our stockholders, with the exception of Dr. Nikias, who was appointed by our Board of Directors to our Board on July 11, 2011.

Review, Approval or Ratification with Related Persons

Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct requires that every employee avoid situations where loyalties may be divided between our interests and the employee’s own interests. Employees and directors must avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with the performance of their duties or are not in our best interests.

Pursuant to its written charter, the Audit Committee reviews and approves all related party transactions as such term is used in ASC Topic 850 Related Party Disclosures, or as otherwise required to be disclosed in our financial statements or periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, other than (a) grants of stock options made by our Board of Directors or any committee thereof or pursuant to an automatic grant plan, or (b) payment of compensation authorized by our Board or any committee thereof. Related party transactions include transactions between us, our

executive officers and directors, beneficial owners of five percent or greater of our securities, and all other related persons specified under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. We have adopted written policies and procedures regarding the identification of related parties and transactions, and the approval process. The Audit Committee will consider each proposed transaction in light of the specific facts and circumstances presented, including but not limited to the risks, costs and benefits to us and the availability from other sources of comparable services or products.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

From the beginning of fiscal 2011 until the present, there have been no (and there are no currently proposed) transactions involving an amount in excess of $120,000 in which Synopsys was (or is to be) a participant and any executive officer, director, five percent beneficial owner of our common stock or member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had (or will have) a direct or indirect material interest, except the compensation arrangements described above for our NEOs and directors and compensation arrangements with our other executive officers not required to be disclosed in this section by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of January 13, 2012 by (1) each person known by us to beneficially own more than five percent of our common stock outstanding on that date, (2) each of our directors, (3) each of our NEOs, and (4) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each entity or person listed below maintains a mailing address of c/o Synopsys, Inc., 700 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043.


	Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned
Name of Beneficial Owner(1)	Number			Percentage Ownership(2)
Entities associated with Dodge & Cox		23,062,461	(3)		16.08	%
555 California Street, 40^th Floor San Francisco, CA 94104
Entities associated with Ameriprise Financial, Inc.		20,275,063	(4)		14.13	%
10460 Ameriprise Financial Center Minneapolis, MN 55474
Entities associated with Blackrock, Inc.		9,267,706	(5)		6.46	%
40 E. 52^nd Street New York, NY 10022
Brian M. Beattie, Chief Financial Officer		252,105	(6)		*
Brian E. Cabrera, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary		107,528	(7)		*
Alfred Castino, Director		66,052	(8)		*
Chi-Foon Chan, President and Chief Operating Officer		904,450	(9)		*
Bruce R. Chizen, Director		109,753	(10)		*
Deborah A. Coleman, Director		112,653	(11)		*
Aart J. de Geus, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors		1,943,955	(12)		1.34	%
Joseph W. Logan, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales		260,244	(13)		*
Chrysostomos L. “Max” Nikias, Director		2,699	(14)
John Schwarz, Director		63,052	(15)		*
Roy Vallee, Director		165,085	(16)		*
Steven C. Walske, Director		109,953	(17)		*
All directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)		4,097,529	(18)		2.80	%

*	Less than 1%

(1)

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe, based on information furnished by such persons and from Forms 13G, 13F and 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them as of January 13, 2012.

(2)

Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 143,452,193 shares of common stock outstanding as of January 13, 2012, adjusted as required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules. Shares of common stock that are subject to stock options or other convertible securities currently issuable or issuable into shares of common stock within 60 days of January 13, 2012, are deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding these stock options or convertible securities, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

(3)	Based solely on the Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2012, reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2011. Dodge & Cox has sole dispositive power with respect to all such shares and sole voting power with respect to 21,789,819 shares.

(4)

Based solely on the Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2012, reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2011. Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC have shared dispositive power with respect to all such shares and shared voting power with respect to 6,125,453 shares. Columbia Seligman Communications and Information Fund has shared dispositive power and sole voting power with respect to 10,643,203 shares.

(5)	Based solely on the Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2012, reporting beneficial ownership as of December 30, 2011. Such entities have sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all such shares.

(6)	Includes stock options to purchase 225,375 shares exercisable by Mr. Beattie within 60 days following January 13, 2012.

(7)	Includes stock options to purchase 96,598 shares exercisable by Mr. Cabrera within 60 days following January 13, 2012.

(8)	Includes stock options to purchase 40,751 shares exercisable by Mr. Castino within 60 days following January 13, 2012. Also includes 8,613 shares of restricted stock that are not vested as of January 13, 2012 and are subject to forfeiture.

(9)	Includes stock options to purchase 725,562 shares exercisable by Dr. Chan within 60 days following January 13, 2012.

(10)	Includes stock options to purchase 70,000 shares exercisable by Mr. Chizen within 60 days following January January 13, 2012. Also includes 8,613 shares of restricted stock that are not vested as of January 13, 2012 and are subject to forfeiture.

(11)	Includes stock options to purchase 70,000 shares exercisable by Ms. Coleman within 60 days following January 13, 2012. Also includes 8,613 shares of restricted stock that are not vested as of January 13, 2012 and are subject to forfeiture.

(12)

Includes stock options to purchase 1,219,056 shares exercisable by Dr. de Geus within 60 days following January 13, 2012. Includes 22,000 shares held by Dr. de Geus’ wife and 109,305 shares beneficially owned by the Aart J. de Geus Annuity Trust, but Dr. de Geus disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

(13)	Includes stock options to purchase 226,084 shares exercisable by Mr. Logan within 60 days following January 13, 2012.

(14)	Includes stock options to purchase 2,699 shares exercisable by Dr. Nikias within 60 days following January 13, 2012.

(15)	Includes stock options to purchase 40,751 shares exercisable by Mr. Schwarz within 60 days following January 13, 2012. Also includes 8,613 shares of restricted stock that are not vested as of January 13, 2012 and are subject to forfeiture.

(16)	Includes stock options to purchase 123,332 shares exercisable by Mr. Vallee within 60 days following January 13, 2012. Also includes 8,613 shares of restricted stock that are not vested as of January 13, 2012 and are subject to forfeiture.

(17)	Includes stock options to purchase 70,000 shares exercisable by Mr. Walske within 60 days following January 13, 2012. Also includes 8,613 shares of restricted stock that are not vested as of January 13, 2012 and are subject to forfeiture.

(18)	Includes stock options to purchase 2,910,208 shares exercisable by all directors and executive officers within 60 days following January 13, 2012. Also includes 51,678 shares of restricted stock that are not vested as of January 13, 2012 and are subject to forfeiture.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table provides information regarding our equity compensation plans as of October 29, 2011.


Plan Category	Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights			Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights(1)		Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans(2)
	(in thousands, except price per share amounts)
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Stockholders		13,607	(3)	$	23.98		9,123	(4)
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders		4,691	(5)	$	21.21		—

Total		18,298		$	23.12		9,123

(1)	The weighted-average exercise price does not include outstanding restricted stock units, which have no exercise price.

(2)	These numbers exclude the shares listed under the column heading “Number of Shares to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights.”

(3)

Includes 3.2 million shares of common stock issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units under the 2006 Employee Plan and 10.4 million shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options granted under the 2006 Employee Plan, the 2005 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan, the 1994 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan and the 1992 Stock Option Plan.

(4)

Comprised of (a) 5.9 million shares remaining available for issuance under the 2006 Employee Plan, (b) 0.4 million shares remaining available for issuance under the 2005 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and (c) 2.8 million shares remaining available for issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan as of October 29, 2011 (of which up to 2.0 million shares were subject to purchase during the purchase period that was on-going as of October 29, 2011).

(5)

Comprised of shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options under our 1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan and 2005 Assumed Stock Option Plan, which were not required to be approved by stockholders pursuant to the rules of the NASDAQ Global Select Market in effect at the time. These plans were terminated as to future grants in April 2006. Does not include the following shares from various plans assumed in connection with acquisitions of other companies: (i) 0.8 million shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights, with a weighted-average exercise price of $18.57 per share, and (ii) 0.3 million shares of common stock issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units. No shares remain available for future issuance under these acquired plans.

Following is a description of the 1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan and 2005 Assumed Stock Option Plan:

1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan. Under our 1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan (referred to in this Proxy Statement as the 1998 Plan), 50,295,546 shares of common stock were originally authorized for issuance. Pursuant to the 1998 Plan, our Board of Directors could grant nonqualified stock options to employees or consultants, excluding executive officers. Exercisability, option price and other terms were determined by our Board but the option price could not be less than 100% of the fair market value of those shares on the grant date. Stock options granted under the 1998 Plan generally vested over a period of four years and expire seven to ten years from the date of grant. As of October 29, 2011, there were 4,469,829 stock options outstanding under the 1998 Plan. The 1998 Plan was terminated as to future grants in connection with the approval of the 2006 Employee Plan.

2005 Assumed Stock Option Plan. Under our 2005 Assumed Stock Option Plan (referred to in this Proxy Statement as the 2005 Plan), an aggregate of 3,427,529 shares of common stock were originally authorized for issuance. Pursuant to the 2005 Plan, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors or its designee could grant nonqualified stock options to employees or consultants of Synopsys who either were (1) not employed by Synopsys or any of our subsidiaries prior to May 11, 2005 or (2) providing services to Nassda Corporation (or any subsidiary corporation thereof) prior to May 11, 2005 and employed by Synopsys after the acquisition closing date. Exercisability, option price and other terms were determined by our Board but the option price could not be less than 100% of the fair market value of those shares on the grant date. Stock options granted under the 2005 Plan generally vested over a period of four years and expire seven to ten years from the date of grant. As of October 29, 2011, there were 221,177 stock options outstanding under the 2005 Plan. The 2005 Plan was terminated as to future grants in connection with the approval of the 2006 Employee Plan.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent beneficial owners of our common stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.

Based solely on our review of the copies of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed by or received from our reporting persons (or written representations received from such persons), we believe that all of the Section&