Safe harbor

The term safe harbor (safe harbour) has several special usages, in an analogy with its literal meaning, that of a harbor or haven which provides safety from weather or attack.
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Noun
1. the target company defends itself by acquiring a company so onerously regulated that it makes the target less attractive (gives it a safe harbor)
(hypernym) shark repellent, porcupine provision

Often used in risk arbitrage. Form of shark repellent whereby a target company acquires a business so onerously regulated it makes the target less attractive, giving it, in effect, a safe harbor.