Two sources said Microsoft (MSFT.O) proposed charging different Office pricing with and without its Teams software to avoid an EU antitrust inquiry and penalties.
In December, several sources told Reuters that Microsoft has been addressing the EU competition enforcer’s concerns since Salesforce-owned (CRM.N) workplace messaging software Slack complained to the European Commission last year.
Slack claimed in 2020 that Microsoft improperly incorporated Teams into Office. Teams, launched in 2017, targets the lucrative workplace collaboration sector. However, the European Commission stated Thursday that Slack was not the only complainant.
We’ve heard multiple concerns about Microsoft’s Teams platform, notably from Slack. “The assessment is ongoing, so we cannot comment,” a spokeswoman said.
Microsoft said it remained “open to pragmatic solutions that address its concerns and serve customers well” with the Commission. Salesforce declined to comment.
The people claimed the EU antitrust agency is soliciting comments from Microsoft rivals on their suggestion.
The European Commission penalized Microsoft 2.2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) for violating EU competition laws by bundling or linking goods in the previous decade.