Microsoft cloud computing changes to allay EU antitrust concerns effective Oct. 1
By Foo Yun Chee
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Amended licensing offers and different modifications making it simpler for cloud service suppliers to compete will take impact on Oct. 1, Microsoft Corp mentioned on Monday, a transfer triggered by complaints concerning the U.S. software program firm to EU antitrust regulators.
Microsoft President Brad Smith had introduced the modifications in Could however didn’t say once they could be efficient.
The corporate, which has been fined 1.6 billion euros ($1.6 billion) by the European Fee within the earlier decade for numerous infringements, discovered itself as soon as once more within the EU’s crosshairs following complaints by cloud service suppliers in Germany, Italy, Denmark and France.
“On October 1, 2022, Microsoft will implement vital upgrades to our outsourcing and internet hosting phrases that may profit prospects worldwide,” the corporate mentioned in a blogpost.
The revised licensing offers imply prospects can use their licenses on any European cloud supplier delivering companies to their very own knowledge facilities.
Rivals Amazon.com, Alphabet’s Google, Alibaba and Microsoft’s personal cloud companies might be excluded from the offers.
Prospects additionally might be allowed to purchase licenses only for the digital atmosphere with out the necessity to purchase the bodily {hardware}.
The EU competitors watchdog has but to touch upon Microsoft’s proposals.
($1 = 0.9988 euros)
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Modifying by Invoice Berkrot)
