Microsoft raises the expensive fine of the European Union with the dismantling teams of a deal

The European Union said on Friday that it accepted the obligations from Microsoft To cancel the mode of communication platform in the workplace from its famous production applications.

The decision is mainly relieved of Microsoft from receiving a fine of anti -monopoly after the company was accused last year by the European Commission – the Executive Authority of the European Union – with the rules of competition with “renewing” “abusive” office teams and products.

“With today’s decision, we are associated for seven years or more Microsoft’s obligations to put an end to her practices related to the link that may prevent its competitors from competing effectively with the teams,” Theresa Ribera, Executive Vice President, said in a statement.

Under the obligations, which Microsoft first revealed in May, the United States software giant will make versions of the Office 365 and Microsoft 365 software suitable at a reduced price, in addition to allowing customers who have long -term licenses to switch to wings without difference.

The company will also provide inter -operational capacity between tools that compete with teams and some Microsoft products and allow customers to transfer data from difference to competing products.

I have Microsoft later It also offered to provide more obligations to solve its concerns related to competition after choosing the European Commission market the company’s initial pledges.

Increasing the price difference between some Microsoft 365 and Office 365 wings without a difference and those who have a 50 % difference and clarify that the Microsoft sites that announce a wing with teams must display the opposite offer without it.

“We appreciate the dialogue with the committee that led to this agreement, and we are now moving to implement these new obligations immediately and completely,” Nana Louise Lindy, Vice -President of European Government Affairs, said in a statement on Friday.

The European Union first opened an investigation to combat monopoly in Microsoft in July 2023 after a complaint Salesforce-Mamluk wires, who has a competitive chat service. Stagnation It was gained by Salesforce For 27.7 billion dollars In 2021.

Sapastian Niles, chief legal official at Salesforce, said that the European Commission’s announcement sends a message that linking Microsoft to the difference with “affected companies”, depriving customers of the fair option, and led to many years of lost competition.

“This settlement is a useful step forward, and we salute the committee’s efforts to hold Microsoft accountable,” Niles told CNBC.