Google has filed an antitrust criticism to EU regulators, accusing Microsoft of unfair licensing contracts for its Azure cloud providers. CNBC reviews that Google, which is third behind Microsoft and Amazon within the cloud market, alleges that Microsoft makes use of licensing phrases that make it tough and costly to make use of Windows Server and Office merchandise on non-Azure cloud infrastructure.
Reuters reviews that Google Cloud vp Amit Zavery instructed reporters Microsoft made prospects pay a 400 % markup to proceed utilizing Windows Server on rival cloud suppliers however that this price doesn’t apply on Azure.
Google’s criticism comes simply months after Microsoft reached a settlement with an trade group backed by European cloud infrastructure suppliers who had been voicing related considerations about Microsoft’s licensing practices. The group, Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE), agreed to withdraw its 2022 EU criticism because of a deal permitting European cloud suppliers to supply Microsoft’s apps and providers on native cloud infrastructure. Google, clearly, wasn’t on that record.
CISPE can be creating an unbiased European Cloud Observatory (ECO) made up of Microsoft, cloud infrastructure distributors in Europe, and European buyer associations. Amazon Web Services was crucial of the deal in July, noting that Microsoft was solely making “restricted concessions for some CISPE members that show there aren’t any technical limitations stopping it from doing what’s proper for each cloud buyer.”
Naturally, Microsoft isn’t proud of Google’s criticism. “Microsoft settled amicably related considerations raised by European cloud suppliers, even after Google hoped they might preserve litigating,” says Microsoft spokesperson Robin Koch in a press release to The Verge. “Having failed to influence European firms, we count on Google equally will fail to influence the European Commission.”
Microsoft can be going through antitrust scrutiny over its cloud practices within the UK, the place regulators are investigating Microsoft’s and Amazon’s cloud licensing practices. The Federal Trade Commission is wanting into the AI investments of Microsoft, Amazon, and Google and the way they’re linked to cloud providers.
