It would be unlikely to result in a substantial lessening of competition, "it said."

报告说，这不可能导致竞争根本性的减少。

youdao

If those companies decided to merge, or if one tried to buy the other's patent, that would be illegal, especially if the situation resulted in a substantial lessening of competition.

若这些处于同一市场领域的公司决定合并，或其中之一试图购买另一家的专利权，那便是非法的。尤其是当这种合并将导致实质性弱化竞争的情形时。

youdao

The OFT can refer deals for investigation if it believes there could be "a substantial lessening of competition" resulting from a takeover.

BBC: NEWS | Business | Watchdogs probe HP sauce takeover

As both Imerys and Goonvean had been active in the extraction, processing and supply of kaolin products from deposits and facilities in Cornwall before the merger, the OFT concluded there was a realistic prospect the merger could result in a "substantial lessening of competition".

BBC: China clay pit