Microsoft Denies Overcharging UK Businesses as $2.8 Billion Cloud Lawsuit Advances

Microsoft is defending itself against a £2.1 billion (~$2.81 billion) lawsuit in the UK, brought by approximately 60,000 businesses who claim they were overcharged for running Windows Server on cloud platforms other than Microsoft’s Azure. The case, led by competition lawyer Maria Luisa Stasi, alleges that Microsoft intentionally made Windows Server more expensive on rival platforms like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud, effectively steering customers towards Azure. Stasi’s team argues this constitutes an “abusive strategy” to leverage Microsoft’s dominant position.

Microsoft refutes these claims, arguing that the lawsuit lacks a valid method for calculating damages and that its integrated business model actually promotes competition. The company has requested the tribunal to dismiss the case. This dispute occurs alongside ongoing investigations by regulators in the UK, Europe, and the United States into Microsoft’s cloud licensing practices. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority previously found Microsoft’s practices disadvantaged AWS and Google, a claim Microsoft also disputed.

The tribunal’s decision will determine whether the lawsuit proceeds. The outcome will have significant implications for the ongoing competition within the cloud computing market, as the battle between Microsoft and its rivals continues.

(Source：Onmsft)