Subj : Microsoft thinks it might have made a breakthrough on its cloud m
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Thu Feb 08 2024 12:15:05

Microsoft thinks it might have made a breakthrough on its cloud monopoly case

Date:
Thu, 08 Feb 2024 12:10:46 +0000

Description:
Microsoft wants to negotiate with CISPE before the EU launches a full-on 
investigation into the companys cloud dominance.

FULL STORY
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Microsoft has entered discussions with the Cloud Infrastructure Services 
Providers in Europe (CISPE) to address its ongoing antitrust case in Europe. 

The case relates to the companys unfair dominance of the cloud market, which 
is reported to have been boosted by technical and financial limitations, 
causing customers to be locked into Microsofts own services. 

According to Reuters , Microsofts approach to resolving the issue could see 
the company avoid a full-on EU investigation, which could result in fines, 
mandates, and significant reputational damages. Microsoft is trying to reach 
a deal with CISPE 

CISPE, which represents 26 EU cloud providers, including Amazon (but not 
Google), filed the complaint with the European Commission late in 2022, 
alleging that Redmonds licensing terms were harming competition in the EU. 

In a statement (via Reuters ), CISPE confirmed: Today, CISPE confirms that it 
has opened discussions with Microsoft aimed at resolving ongoing issues 
related to unfair software licensing for cloud infrastructure providers and 
their customers in Europe. 

Discussions are in the early stages, but both parties are actively exploring 
potential resolutions. CISPE noted that substantive progress must be made 
within the first three months of 2024, alluding to the fact that the added 
pressure on Microsoft may see the company reach an agreement before an EU 
investigation goes ahead. 

Microsoft has racked up $1.7 billion in antitrust fines over the past decade, 
and thats just within the European Union. The company has been seen to mellow 
in recent years, taking a more accommodating approach to avoid further 
penalties. 

At the same time, other companies have also started to improve 
interoperability, likely due to mounting pressure within the EU for a more 
competitive landscape. 

 TechRadar Pro has asked Microsoft and CISPE for further information neither 
immediately responded. More from TechRadar Pro These are the best cloud 
hosting providers Check out the best cloud storage and best cloud backup 
tools Microsoft is facing another antitrust case - this time from Google



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/microsoft-thinks-it-might-have-made-a-breakthrou
gh-on-its-cloud-monopoly-case


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