A new European regulator will keep an eye on cloud licensing issues

Date:
Wed, 20 Nov 2024 10:29:00 +0000

Description:
CISPE has launched a new and independent regulator to keep tabs on 
competition in the European cloud market.

FULL STORY

Non-profit trade association Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in 
Europe (CISPE) has launched a new body to monitor unfair software licensing
practices in the cloud market. 

The newly formed European Cloud Competition Observatory (ECCO) was 
established as part of CISPEs settlement with Microsoft following a complaint
filed with the European Commission regarding the companys anticompetitive
business practices. 

In a press release , CISPE confirmed that ECCO will focus on Microsofts
adherence to the July 2024 commitments, while monitoring licensing practices
impacting both cloud providers and customers.

CISPE launches new cloud competition regulator

The consortium also noted that ECCO will be operate under a separate
governance structure, with customer organizations like Frances Cigref and
Belgiums Beltug acting as observers to reflect customers perspectives. 

Although the new regulator will first focus on Microsoft , it also has other
software giants in its sights, including Broadcoms VMware, which is also 
being accused of anticompetitive business practices in Europe. 

Francisco Mingorance, CISPE Secretary General, commented: We appreciate Vice
President Vestagers role in establishing ECCO as part of our settlement with
Microsoft. ECCO will serve as a watchdog over any software vendors using
unfair practices to disrupt the European cloud market, with Broadcom under 
our current scrutiny. 

Although ECCO isnt set to file complaints itself, the findings it could 
reveal in its reports will increase the pressure on companies to address
unfair practices before they risk facing a full-blown investigation. 

Beltug CEO Danielle Jacobs added: ECCOs work is essential to help deliver a
fair cloud software licensing environment in Europe. 

With regard to its initial focus on Microsoft, ECCO is set to release its
first report after a December technical summit with CISPE and Microsoft
members  further follow-ups are planned for February and April.

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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/a-new-european-regulator-will-keep-an-eye-on-clo
ud-licensing-issues

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