Acquisition vs. Capture — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 28, 2024
Acquisition refers to obtaining assets or companies through purchase or negotiation, while capture implies taking control by force or strategy.
Difference Between Acquisition and Capture
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Acquisition often involves a strategic approach to buying or obtaining assets, companies, or properties through mutual agreement or purchase. It is commonly seen in business contexts where companies aim to expand their operations, diversify their portfolio, or gain a competitive advantage. On the other hand, capture is typically used in contexts of competition, conflict, or hunting, where an entity is taken control of by force, strategy, or skill. This can apply to territories, animals, or information.
In acquisitions, there is usually a legal and formal process that includes negotiations, due diligence, and contractual agreements. This process is designed to ensure that the acquisition is mutually beneficial to both parties involved. Whereas, capture might not involve any negotiations or formalities and is often unilateral, relying on the captor's strength, strategy, or technological advantage to succeed.
Acquisition is characterized by its voluntary nature, where both parties agree to the terms and conditions of the transaction. This consent is fundamental to the acquisition process, ensuring that it is legal and binding. Capture, in contrast, is involuntary for the captured party, often involving coercion or force without the need for consent.
The motivations behind acquisitions are usually economic, strategic, or synergistic, aiming at growth, efficiency, or enhanced competitive positioning. In contrast, the motivations for capture can range from gaining a tactical advantage, securing resources, or asserting dominance, often seen in military, cybersecurity, and wildlife contexts.
Acquisition processes are governed by regulatory frameworks and laws to protect the interests of all stakeholders, including shareholders, employees, and customers. These regulations ensure transparency, fairness, and compliance. Conversely, capture, especially in non-commercial contexts, may operate outside such structured legal frameworks, guided instead by the principles of strategy, survival, or direct competition.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The process of obtaining or taking control of assets or companies through purchase or negotiation.
The act of taking control or possession of something by force or strategy.
Context
Primarily used in business and corporate settings.
Can be applied in military, wildlife, cybersecurity, and competitive contexts.
Process
Involves negotiation, due diligence, and formal agreements.
Often unilateral, requiring no agreement from the other party.
Nature
Voluntary, with consent from both parties.
Involuntary for the captured party, often involving coercion or force.
Motivations
Economic, strategic, or synergistic reasons.
Tactical advantage, security, dominance, or competition.
Compare with Definitions
Acquisition
Acquisition is the act of acquiring a company to expand business operations.
The tech giant's latest acquisition of a startup has stirred the industry.
Capture
Capture involves taking control of something by force or strategy.
The army's capture of the fort marked a turning point in the war.
Acquisition
It involves purchasing assets to increase a company's value.
Their acquisition of numerous patents has solidified their market position.
Capture
In photography, it's recording an image.
The photographer's ability to capture the moment is unparalleled.
Acquisition
In a legal context, it's obtaining rights or property.
The acquisition of land for the new park was finalized last week.
Capture
In software, capture refers to the process of recording data or screen activity.
Screen capture software is essential for creating tutorials.
Acquisition
Acquisition can also refer to the collection of data or information.
Data acquisition through surveys helps tailor marketing strategies.
Capture
In ecology, it's trapping wildlife for study.
Capture and release programs help in studying animal behaviors.
Acquisition
It's used in art collecting, as in acquiring new pieces.
The museum's recent acquisition includes a rare 18th-century painting.
Capture
It's used in games, as in capturing pieces or territory.
His clever move led to the capture of his opponent's queen.
Acquisition
An asset or object bought or obtained, typically by a library or museum
The legacy will be used for new acquisitions
Capture
Take into one's possession or control by force
The island was captured by Australian forces in 1914
Acquisition
The learning or developing of a skill, habit, or quality
The acquisition of management skills
Capture
Record accurately in words or pictures
She did a series of sketches, trying to capture all his moods
Acquisition
The act of acquiring.
Capture
Cause (data) to be stored in a computer
These allow users to capture, edit, and display geographic data
Acquisition
Something acquired or gained
Added two new acquisitions to my library.
Capture
Absorb (an atomic or subatomic particle)
The free electrons were moving too rapidly to be captured by nuclei
Acquisition
The act or process of acquiring.
The acquisition of sports equipment can be fun in itself.
Capture
(of a stream) divert the upper course of (another stream) by encroaching on its catchment area.
Acquisition
The thing acquired or gained; a gain.
That graphite tennis racquet is quite an acquisition.
Capture
The action of capturing or of being captured
He was killed while resisting capture
The capture of the city
Acquisition
(computing) The process of sampling signals that measure real world physical conditions and converting these signals into digital numeric values that can be manipulated by a computer.
Capture
To take captive, as by force or craft; seize.
Acquisition
The act or process of acquiring.
The acquisition or loss of a province.
Capture
To gain possession or control of, as in a game or contest
Capture the queen in chess.
Captured the liberal vote.
Acquisition
The purchase of one commercial enterprise by another, whether for cash, or in a trade of stock of the purchasing company for that of the purchased company.
Capture
To attract and hold
Tales of adventure that capture the imagination.
Acquisition
The thing acquired or gained; an acquirement; a gain; as, learning is an acquisition.
Capture
(Astronomy) To attract and pull (a celestial body) into orbit by gravitation.
Acquisition
The act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something;
The acquisition of wealth
The acquisition of one company by another
Capture
To succeed in preserving in lasting form
Capture a likeness in a painting.
Acquisition
Something acquired;
A recent acquisition by the museum
Capture
The act of catching, taking, or winning, as by force or skill.
Acquisition
The cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge;
The child's acquisition of language
Capture
One that has been seized, caught, or won; a catch or prize.
Acquisition
An ability that has been acquired by training
Capture
(Astronomy) The process by which a massive body, such as a star or planet, draws and holds another body in gravitational orbit.
Capture
(Physics) The phenomenon in which an atom or a nucleus absorbs a subatomic particle, often with the subsequent emission of radiation.
Capture
An act of capturing; a seizing by force or stratagem.
Capture
The securing of an object of strife or desire, as by the power of some attraction.
The capture of a lover's heart
Capture
Something that has been captured; a captive.
Capture
The recording or storage of something for later playback.
Video capture
Capture
(computing) A particular match found for a pattern in a text string.
Capture
(transitive) To take control of; to seize by force or stratagem.
To capture an enemy, a vessel, or a criminal
Capture
(transitive) To store (as in sounds or image) for later revisitation.
She captured the sounds of a subway station on tape.
She captured the details of the fresco in a series of photographs.
Capture
(transitive) To reproduce convincingly.
His film adaptation captured the spirit of the original work.
In her latest masterpiece, she captured the essence of Venice.
Capture
(transitive) To remove or take control of an opponent’s piece in a game (e.g., chess, go, checkers).
My pawn was captured.
He captured his opponent’s queen on the 15th move.
Capture
The act of seizing by force, or getting possession of by superior power or by stratagem; as, the capture of an enemy, a vessel, or a criminal.
Even with regard to captures made at sea.
Capture
The securing of an object of strife or desire, as by the power of some attraction.
Capture
The thing taken by force, surprise, or stratagem; a prize; prey.
Capture
To seize or take possession of by force, surprise, or stratagem; to overcome and hold; to secure by effort.
Capture
To record or make a lasting representation of (sound or images); as, to capture an event on videotape; the artist captured the expression of grief on his face.
Capture
To take control of, or remove from play; as, to capture a piece in chess.
Capture
To exert a strong psychological influence on; as, to capture the heart of a maiden; to capture the attention of the nation.
Capture
To record (data) in a computer-readable form; as, to capture a transaction in a database.
Her heart is like some fortress that has been captured.
Capture
The act of forcibly dispossessing an owner of property
Capture
A process whereby a star or planet holds an object in its gravitational field
Capture
Any process in which an atomic or nuclear system acquires an additional particle
Capture
The act of taking of a person by force
Capture
The removal of an opponent's piece from the chess board
Capture
Succeed in representing or expressing something intangible;
Capture the essence of Spring
Capture an idea
Capture
Attract; cause to be enamored;
She captured all the men's hearts
Capture
Succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase;
We finally got the suspect
Did you catch the thief?
Capture
Bring about the capture of an elementary particle or celestial body and causing it enter a new orbit;
This nucleus has captured the slow-moving neutrons
The star captured a comet
Capture
Take possession of by force, as after an invasion;
The invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants
The army seized the town
The militia captured the castle
Capture
Capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping;
I caught a rabbit in the trap toady
Common Curiosities
What legal processes are involved in an acquisition?
Acquisitions involve due diligence, negotiations, and compliance with regulatory frameworks to ensure legality and fairness.
Can capture be used in a business context?
Yes, but it's less common and usually refers to gaining market share or technology through competitive strategies rather than force.
What motivates a company to make an acquisition?
Motivations can include expanding market presence, acquiring technology, achieving synergies, or eliminating competition.
Can both terms apply to obtaining information?
Yes, acquisition can refer to collecting data, while capture can mean obtaining information through more direct or forceful means.
How does capture differ in cybersecurity?
In cybersecurity, capture involves obtaining data or accessing systems without authorization, often for malicious purposes.
Is acquisition always voluntary?
Yes, acquisitions are based on mutual agreements and negotiations between the acquiring and acquired parties.
Can acquisition lead to monopolies?
Potentially, yes. Regulatory bodies often review significant acquisitions to prevent anti-competitive monopolies.
How is capture used in wildlife conservation?
Capture is used for tagging, studying, and sometimes relocating animals for conservation purposes.
What is the main difference between acquisition and capture?
Acquisition involves a mutual agreement to obtain assets or companies, whereas capture is taking control by force or strategy.
Is capture always negative?
Not necessarily. In photography, games, or ecology, capture can have positive connotations or neutral applications.
Is consent necessary for capture?
No, capture often involves taking control without the need for consent from the captured entity or party.
Do acquisitions always involve payment?
Typically, yes. Acquisitions usually involve a financial transaction, though the terms can vary widely.
Can individuals engage in acquisition?
Yes, individuals can engage in acquisition, such as purchasing property or collecting items.
What is a hostile acquisition?
It's when a company attempts to acquire another company against the wishes of the latter's management or board.
Are there ethical considerations in both acquisition and capture?
Yes, both processes involve ethical considerations, especially regarding fairness, consent, and the impact on stakeholders or the environment.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
