Microsoft More likely to Face EU Antitrust Investigation in Coming Months

Microsoft is prone to face an EU antitrust investigation within the coming months after treatment discussions with the EU watchdog to avert such a transfer seem to have hit a roadblock, individuals acquainted with the matter mentioned.

Microsoft, which has been fined EUR 2.2 billion (almost Rs. 19,670 crore) within the earlier decade for practices in breach of EU competitors guidelines, together with tying or bundling two or extra merchandise collectively, discovered itself within the EU crosshairs after a grievance by Salesforce-owned workspace messaging app Slack in 2020.

Microsoft added Teams to Office 365 in 2017 at no cost, with the app ultimately changing Skype for Business. 

Slack alleged that its rival had unfairly built-in office chat and video app Teams into its Office product.

Microsoft kicked off talks with the European Commission final yr in a bid to stave off an investigation. It not too long ago supplied to chop the worth of its Office product with out its Teams app.

The European Commission has been searching for a deeper value minimize than that supplied by the U.S. software program large, the individuals mentioned.

The EU govt declined to remark. 

A Microsoft spokesperson mentioned: “We continue to engage cooperatively with the Commission in its investigation and are open to pragmatic solutions that address its concerns and serve customers well.”

© Thomson Reuters 2023