The European Fee (EC) has agreed to commitments proposed by Microsoft to deal with antitrust issues associated to the mixing of Groups with its Workplace 365 and Microsoft 365 suites.
These measures might be legally binding below EU antitrust legal guidelines.
The fee’s investigation targeted on Microsoft’s follow of bundling Groups with broadly used productiveness functions akin to Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
This follow raised issues about potential anticompetitive behaviour by limiting alternatives for rival communication and collaboration instruments.
To resolve these points, Microsoft will present variations of Workplace 365 and Microsoft 365 with out Groups at a decreased value. Prospects, together with these with long-term licenses, can have the choice to change to those new variations.
The corporate may even improve interoperability between competing merchandise and Microsoft companies, alongside enhancing information portability from Groups to different platforms.
Moreover, Microsoft will modify its licensing and pricing constructions in step with these commitments whereas guaranteeing buyer wants are met. From 1 November 2025, prospects can select between product suites with or with out Groups globally.
The EC’s investigation, launched in July 2023, preliminarily discovered issues about Microsoft’s integration of Groups since April 2019.
This follow would possibly breach Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union by limiting competitors inside the European Financial Space marketplace for software-as-a-service productiveness functions.
A market check carried out between Might and June 2025 assessed Microsoft’s commitments. Based mostly on the suggestions, Microsoft agreed to extend the value distinction between packages with and with out Groups by 50% for sure enterprise segments.
The tech big additionally dedicated to prominently promoting each choices.
EC clear, simply, and aggressive transition govt vice-president Teresa Ribera mentioned: “Organisations massive and small throughout Europe and world wide rely closely on videoconferencing, chat and collaboration instruments, particularly because the coronavirus pandemic.
“With as we speak’s resolution, we make binding for seven years or extra Microsoft’s commitments to place an finish to its tying practices that could be stopping rivals from successfully competing with Groups.”
This settlement follows complaints from Slack Applied sciences and alfaview concerning Microsoft’s alleged aggressive conduct. Each entities retracted their complaints following Microsoft’s proposed commitments.
Beneath EU antitrust rules, corporations can provide commitments throughout investigations to deal with issues with out concluding an infringement.
Noncompliance may result in substantial fines or each day penalties based mostly on international turnover.
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