CMA launches investigation into Microsoft business software | Computer Weekly

"The CMA will be looking at whether Microsoft is making it difficult to integrate its products with that of other providers, which limits the ability of UK customers to gain access to the best products at the most competitive prices. The investigation will also consider Microsoft product bundling, a practice which can lead to Microsoft's own products working more seamlessly together than if certain products are replaced by best-in-class third-party alternatives to solve specific business challenges."

"The Windows software ecosystem is what has made Microsoft the dominate company that it is today and, as it builds out more and more artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, there is a very real risk that new entrants and alternative AI engines may be unable to compete. This is another aspect of the CMA investigation, where the regulator will assess how AI competitors are able to integrate with Microsoft's business software, giving customers access to AI software across suppliers to best suit their needs."

"Another area of investigation is default settings in software, which can prevent customers from switching to alternative business software providers. The CMA's investigation will examine whether Microsoft has SMS in business software and consider whether it can use that position to limit customer choice. An SMS designation would enable it to consider whether to intervene on a key concern from its cloud market investigation - particularly Microsoft's use of software licensing, which was found to be reducing competition in cloud services."

"The CMA has been investigating concerns that Microsoft uses its dominant position in software (such as Windows Server and SQL Server) to limit competition in the cloud market by making it"

The Competition and Markets Authority has launched an investigation into Microsoft’s business software to determine whether Microsoft should be classified with strategic market status. The investigation will assess whether Microsoft makes it difficult to integrate its products with those of other providers, which could restrict UK customers’ access to better products at competitive prices. It will also examine product bundling that may cause Microsoft products to work more seamlessly together than third-party alternatives. The investigation will consider how AI competitors integrate with Microsoft business software and whether default settings prevent customers from switching providers. The CMA will evaluate whether Microsoft’s position could be used to limit customer choice and whether SMS would enable intervention related to licensing practices affecting cloud competition.

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