Complaint as a starting point for EU investigation into Microsoft Cloud Services

Google has lodged a formal complaint with the EU against Microsoft, which it says is acting illegally in one or more member states within the context of the cloud computing market. Microsoft has on its part accused Google of indulging in anti-competitive practices through patent threatening, exclusive dealing, and tying—elements that Google states are aimed at maintaining its dominance in the cloud market. This complaint is not the only one; other significant tech players are under pressure from the EU over fears that they have fallen short of the antitrust laws.

Highlights

1- Google is suing Windows maker Microsoft for anti-competition in the cloud.

2- Azure cloud platform The complaint also alleges that Microsoft was guilty of bundling what is referred to as the anchor product, for instance, Office 365 with its Azure cloud platform.

3- More than ever before, the EU is into curtailing the large tech firms on operational fairness in matters cloud and software industry.

Google’s complaint rests on the fact that Microsoft has been covering its cloud service, Azure, in a unique selling proposition from its popular productivity suite, Office 365. This, as Google points out, is providing undue benefits to Microsoft since customers are compelled to use Azure for cloud storage and computing when they get Microsoft software. Also, the complaint accuses Microsoft of limiting customers’ rights to use the product so they cannot switch to other providers, such as Google Cloud or Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Google sustains that these practices harm innovation and reduce consumer and business options. Micro trapped the customers with the Microsoft ecosystem, therefore making it hard for contenders in the cloud services market. This complaint could trigger an investigation by the Commission, as has happened when Microsoft has been penalized for anti-competitive practices.

The cloud computing market is quickly turning into a playing field for major tech players, including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, amongst others. The given complaint can lead to an action from the side of the EU, which will change the laws regulating cloud services and thus alter the competitive positioning for several more years.

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