After European cloud vendors filed a formal complaint with the European Commission in 2022, Microsoft is reportedly seeking to reach an agreement before an investigation is launched. Credit: Bigstock Microsoft has reportedly agreed to change its cloud computing practices in order to avoid an antitrust probe from the European Commission, the EU’s antitrust authority. The potential probe relates to complaints made by European cloud companies including Aruba, OVHcloud, Danish Cloud Community and the Association of Cloud Infrastructure Service Providers (CISPE) about changes Microsoft first made to the terms of its outsourcing license agreement in 2019, and then modified again in 2022. The cloud vendors raised concerns after their customers were asked to pay more to run Microsoft software in non-Microsoft cloud environments, under what they saw as restrictive cloud licensing policies. As a result of these licensing changes, on November 9, 2022, CISPE filed a formal complaint with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition (DG Comp) stating: “Microsoft uses its dominance in productivity software to direct European customers to its own Azure cloud infrastructure to the detriment of European cloud infrastructure providers and users of IT services.” Now, in order to avoid another antitrust probe by the EU Commission, Microsoft has offered to change its cloud computing practices to settle antitrust complaints filed by smaller rivals, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The European Commission refused to comment on the news, while Aruba, CISPE, the Danish Cloud Community, and OVHcloud did not respond to requests for comment. CISPE plans to pursue its complaint. A spokesperson for CISPE told Reuters, “We’ve had an initial discussion with Microsoft, but have not seen anything that suggests changes that will ensure that all European customers have the chance to run the software they want in the cloud of their choice free of unfair licence terms or discriminatory pricing.” A Microsoft spokesperson would not discuss with Computerworld whether a deal had been reached with any of the complainants. “In October 2022, we introduced changes to our licensing practices that address the feedback that we heard from European cloud providers. We are grateful for the productive conversations that led us there and appreciate the feedback that we have received since. We are committed to the European Cloud Community and their success,” the Microsoft spokesperson said. Microsoft is no stranger to the EU Commission’s antitrust rulings. In 2004 the company paid a $611 million fine after it was found it guilty of illegally bundling media player software with Windows XP. An additional $731 million fine was levelled against the company in 2013 for bundling its Internet Explorer browser with Windows 7. Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of games studio Activision Blizzard is also currently under scrutiny by the EU Commission, as well as the Competition Market Authorities (CMA) in the UK and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US. Related content news AR/VR headset sales decline is temporary: IDC A steep year-on-year drop in global shipments in Q1 was the result of market in transition. By Paul Barker Jun 18, 2024 4 mins Headsets Technology Industry opinion Apple's cautious AI strategy is absolutely right It is via simple, friendly and optional functions that the great masses will be introduced to — and actually use — AI tools. By Marcus Jerräng Jun 18, 2024 5 mins Apple Generative AI news Varjo wants you to create photorealistic VR ‘scenes’ with your phone The Finnish VR headset firm said its Teleport device will lower the barrier for 3D content creation with an app that lets users create a virtual environment — without any training or special equipment. By Matthew Finnegan Jun 18, 2024 4 mins Augmented Reality Virtual Reality Vendors and Providers news analysis When it comes to AI, Apple is opening up for intelligence Apple is becoming increasingly open as its research teams cook up Apple Intelligence. By Jonny Evans Jun 18, 2024 4 mins Apple Developer Generative AI Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe