SAN JOSE, Dec. 22, 2004 - Third quarter EDA revenues fell 2% from last year to $953 million, according to the latest statistics from the Electronic Design Automation Consortium.

License and maintenance revenue, the largest revenue category, declined 3%. North America les the way down, with all major categories off vs. last year.

"Despite a weak third quarter, the EDA market has shown a 3% growth rate on a year-to-date basis," said Wally Rhines, EDAC chairman.

The largest tool category, computer-aided engineering, was flat with sales of $453 million. IC physical design and verification revenue was down 9% to $272 million.

Revenue for PCB and MCM layout tools totaled $81 million in Q3, down 1%. Services revenue was $66 million, up 5%.

Semiconductor intellectual property revenue rose 8%, to $81 million.

North American revenues fell 9% to $472 million. Europe's revenues rose 4% to $192 million, as did Japan's ($183 million). Double-digit growth continued in the rest of the world, which showed total revenues of $107 million, up 11%.

Employment rose 4%, to 20,500 professionals, the third straight quarter of new highs in employment.