Google complained to Microsoft due to 400% markup on Windows Server in competitor clouds

Google has filed an antitrust complaint with EU regulators, accusing Microsoft of unfair licensing terms. Google, which ranks third behind Microsoft and Amazon in the cloud services market, argues that Microsoft’s licensing terms make it more difficult and expensive to use Windows Server and Office products on cloud infrastructure other than Azure.

Google Cloud Vice President Amit Zavery told reporters that Microsoft has forced customers to pay a 400 percent markup to continue using Windows Server from competing cloud providers, but that markup does not apply to Azure.

Google filed the complaint just months after Microsoft reached an agreement with a group of European cloud infrastructure providers (Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe, CISPE), who raised similar concerns about Microsoft’s licensing practices. CISPE has agreed to withdraw its 2022 EU complaint through a deal allowing group members to provide Microsoft apps and services on their on-premises cloud infrastructure. Google, obviously, was not included in the list of these suppliers.

As a result of the agreement, an independent European Cloud Observatory (ECO) was created, which included Microsoft, European cloud infrastructure providers and European customer associations. Amazon Web Services has been critical of the deal, saying Microsoft is making only “limited concessions for certain CISPE members that demonstrate there are no technical barriers preventing it from doing what’s right for every cloud customer.”

Naturally, Microsoft is unhappy with Google’s complaint. “Microsoft has amicably resolved similar concerns raised by European cloud providers, even after Google hoped they would pursue legal action,” said Microsoft spokesman Robin Koch. “[…] we expect that Google will not be able to convince the European Commission.”

Microsoft is currently facing antitrust scrutiny of its cloud practices in the UK, where regulators are investigating Microsoft and Amazon’s cloud licensing policies. At the same time, the Federal Trade Commission is examining AI investments from Microsoft, Amazon and Google and how they relate to cloud services.

admin

Share
Published by
admin

Recent Posts

Despelote — goo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ol! Review

One of my first memories (or perhaps the very first one – is it possible…

9 hours ago

Design and specifications of the flagship smartphone Sony Xperia 1 VII leaked online

A few days before the official presentation, details about the new flagship Sony Xperia 1…

9 hours ago

GTA VI Delay to 2026 Causes New Panic Among Game Developers

Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier reported on the domino effect triggered by the recent delay of…

10 hours ago

Nintendo warns it will block consoles for users who engage in piracy and hacking

Nintendo has updated its user agreement, formalizing the right to remotely disable Switch consoles if…

11 hours ago

Gigabyte Unveils X870 and B850 Aorus Stealth Motherboards with Back-Side Power Connectors

Gigabyte has unveiled the X870 Aorus Stealth and B850 Aorus Stealth motherboards for Ryzen 7000,…

12 hours ago

Alienware Unveils Thin, Affordable Aurora 16 and 16X Gaming Laptops with Understated Designs

Alienware, a subsidiary of Dell known for its futuristic gaming laptops, has released new high-performance…

1 day ago