SA watchdog to investigate Microsoft over licensing practices, says source
SA case is likely to mirror antitrust probe in the EU
04 April 2024 - 21:38
byFoo Yun Chee and Nilutpal Timsina
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A SA antitrust agency is set to investigate Microsoft over its Azure cloud computing licensing practices, a source with direct knowledge of the matter on Thursday.
The SA case against Microsoft is likely to mirror the EU antitrust case, the source told Reuters .
Microsoft is not aware of any complaint filed by the Competition Commission, the company said in an emailed statement.
The competition agency did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The US software giant faces an EU complaint by rivals over its alleged abuse of its market dominance to squeeze out rivals in the region.
Industry group CISPE, which includes members such as Amazon.com and 26 small EU cloud providers, filed a complaint in late 2022 alleging Microsoft’s new contractual terms were harming Europe’s cloud computing ecosystem.
Microsoft amended its licensing terms in mid-2022 after rivals in Germany, Italy, Denmark and France took their grievances to the EU competition watchdog.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
SA watchdog to investigate Microsoft over licensing practices, says source
SA case is likely to mirror antitrust probe in the EU
A SA antitrust agency is set to investigate Microsoft over its Azure cloud computing licensing practices, a source with direct knowledge of the matter on Thursday.
The SA case against Microsoft is likely to mirror the EU antitrust case, the source told Reuters .
Microsoft is not aware of any complaint filed by the Competition Commission, the company said in an emailed statement.
The competition agency did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The US software giant faces an EU complaint by rivals over its alleged abuse of its market dominance to squeeze out rivals in the region.
Industry group CISPE, which includes members such as Amazon.com and 26 small EU cloud providers, filed a complaint in late 2022 alleging Microsoft’s new contractual terms were harming Europe’s cloud computing ecosystem.
Microsoft amended its licensing terms in mid-2022 after rivals in Germany, Italy, Denmark and France took their grievances to the EU competition watchdog.
Reuters
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