Brussels, 16th May 2025. The European Cloud Competition Observatory (ECCO) today published its second report on Microsoft. Established following the Agreement between CISPE and Microsoft reached in July last year, ECCO’s role is to provide independent oversight on progress towards delivering on that agreement and to highlight ongoing or new unfair software licensing practices from any vendors.
The second report on Microsoft maintains an Amber rating. Although there have been setbacks, specifically in the delivery of a product-based resolution, both sides continue to engage in positive discussions. The ECCO report confirms that CISPE and Microsoft have both agreed that the first phase of their agreement has come to an end, and that Microsoft now has until 10th July to propose a commercially equivalent offer.
Commenting on the report, Francisco Mingorance, secretary general of CISPE, said:
“It is disappointing that the proposed product did not deliver, but this is in not the end of the Agreement. Phase 2 opens the door to discuss alternative, commercially equivalent solutions that enable CISPE members and Europe’s cloud infrastructure providers to compete fairly, while still offering Microsoft’s productivity tools to their customers.”
A second report on Broadcom will be published in the coming days.
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