Microsoft has successfully avoided a major European Union antitrust fine by agreeing to unbundle its Teams video-conferencing application from its Office 365 and Microsoft 365 software packages. Under the new agreement, Teams will be sold separately, and Office packages without Teams will be offered at a lower price, addressing concerns about unfair bundling practices[1][2][3].
This settlement resolves a years-long antitrust investigatio...
This settlement resolves a years-long antitrust investigation triggered by a 2019 complaint from Slack, which accused Microsoft of illegally tying Teams into its dominant Office productivity suite. Slack claimed that Microsoft forced Teams onto millions of users, blocked its removal, and obscured the true cost to enterprise customers. The European Commission’s probe focused on whether this bundling gave Microsoft an unfair advantage over competing collaboration platforms[1][4].
Microsoft initially made partial concessions as early as 202...
Microsoft initially made partial concessions as early as 2023, but the European Commission found that previous proposals were insufficient because the pricing of Teams-less Office packages did not reflect a true unbundling, resulting in higher overall costs for customers who wanted both products. The latest agreement requires Microsoft to offer Teams-free Office suites at lower prices that accurately reflect the absence of Teams, thereby giving customers a genuine choice[1].
As part of the deal, Microsoft has also committed to improvi...
As part of the deal, Microsoft has also committed to improving interoperability between Teams and rival collaboration tools such as Zoom and Slack. This aims to reduce technical barriers and foster a more competitive environment in the enterprise communications market[1][3][4].
The agreement is expected to be formally approved by the Eur...
The agreement is expected to be formally approved by the European Commission soon, following a positive market test in which competitors and customers raised no serious objections. The commitments Microsoft made could remain in force for up to ten years, with potential fines of up to 10% of its annual global revenue if it fails to comply[1][2][3][4].
This resolution marks a shift in EU regulatory strategy, emp...
This resolution marks a shift in EU regulatory strategy, emphasizing negotiated settlements that alter platform behavior rather than imposing immediate fines. It also reflects ongoing tensions and cooperation in EU-US tech relations, with Microsoft’s compliance seen as a constructive step toward fairer competition in the software market[2][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 1:20:44 PM
Microsoft has agreed to **unbundle its Teams app from Office 365 and Microsoft 365 packages**, a move accepted by the EU to resolve a long-running antitrust probe and avoid a fine potentially reaching 10% of its annual global revenue[1][3]. This separation requires Microsoft to offer Teams-less Office packages at lower prices and improve interoperability with rival collaboration tools like Zoom and Slack, reshaping the competitive landscape by giving rivals greater opportunity to compete fairly in cloud communication software[1][3][4]. EU Competition Chief Teresa Ribera emphasized the decision "opens up competition in this crucial market," enabling businesses to freely choose their communication platforms[4].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 1:30:55 PM
Microsoft has avoided a substantial EU antitrust fine by agreeing to unbundle its Teams video-conferencing app from its Office 365 and Microsoft 365 productivity suites, following a complaint by Slack and an EU investigation launched in 2023. As part of the settlement, Microsoft will offer Office packages without Teams at a reduced price, allow long-term license holders to switch to these versions, and ensure interoperability between Teams and competing apps like Zoom and Slack, while enabling data export from Teams. The European Commission praised this cooperative approach, emphasizing the importance of swift interventions in digital markets to address integration-related competition concerns[1][2][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 1:40:49 PM
The European Union has accepted Microsoft’s legally binding commitments to unbundle its Teams communication app from the Office 365 and Microsoft 365 suites, thereby avoiding a potentially hefty antitrust fine, which could have been up to 10% of Microsoft’s global annual turnover. These commitments, effective for at least seven years, include offering Office packages without Teams at a discounted price, allowing customers to switch to these cheaper versions, and ensuring interoperability between Teams and rival platforms like Slack and Zoom. EU Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera highlighted that this decision "opens up competition in this crucial market" and enables businesses to freely choose their communication products[1][3][4][5].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 1:50:51 PM
Microsoft has avoided a major EU antitrust fine by agreeing to unbundle its Teams app from Office 365 and Microsoft 365 packages, requiring Teams to be sold separately with lower prices on Office suites without it. This move, accepted by the European Commission after positive market testing and no serious objections from competitors, is designed to restore competition by allowing rivals like Slack and Zoom better interoperability and a fairer market playing field[1][2][3][4]. EU competition chief Teresa Ribera stated the decision "opens up competition in this crucial market," enabling businesses "to freely choose the communication and collaboration product that best suits their needs"[4].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 2:00:54 PM
Microsoft has avoided a major EU antitrust fine by agreeing to sell its Teams app separately from Office 365 and Microsoft 365 suites, ensuring Teams-less Office packages are offered at a discounted rate to reflect their unbundling[1][3][5]. This move fosters increased competition by requiring Microsoft to enhance interoperability with rival platforms like Slack and Zoom, while allowing users to export data from Teams to alternatives, reshaping the competitive landscape in unified communications[1][5]. The commitments, potentially enforceable for up to 10 years with fines up to 10% of Microsoft’s annual global revenues if breached, mark a significant regulatory shift towards settlements that transform market behavior rather than imposing direct penalties[1][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 2:10:55 PM
Consumer and public reaction to Microsoft’s agreement to unbundle Teams from Office packages has been cautiously positive, as market tests showed no serious objections from rivals or customers, indicating broad acceptance of the move to foster fair competition[2][3]. EU competition chief Teresa Ribera emphasized that the decision “opens up competition in this crucial market,” allowing businesses to freely choose collaboration tools that fit their needs[1]. Meanwhile, some industry watchers view the settlement as a sign of shifting regulatory strategy in the EU, favoring behavioral remedies over heavy fines, which may help avoid prolonged disputes but leaves some uncertainty about real market impact[3][4].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 2:20:51 PM
Microsoft has avoided a substantial EU antitrust fine by agreeing to unbundle its Teams communication app from Office 365 and Microsoft 365 software packages, allowing these suites to be sold at a reduced price without Teams and enabling interoperability with rival platforms like Zoom and Slack[1][2][3]. This settlement, accepted by the European Commission following a 2023 investigation triggered by a Slack complaint, reflects the EU’s strategic shift from punitive fines toward reshaping Big Tech’s market behavior, with global implications including potential regional feature segmentation and increased regulatory pressure worldwide[2][3]. EU competition chief Teresa Ribera emphasized that the decision "opens up competition in this crucial market," signaling a broader international push for more open and competitive technology ecosystems[1][
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 2:30:51 PM
The European Union has accepted Microsoft's commitment to unbundle its Teams communications app from the Office 365 and Microsoft 365 productivity suites, thereby avoiding a substantial antitrust fine. The EU required Microsoft to offer Office packages without Teams at a reduced price, allow interoperability with rival products like Slack and Zoom, and enable customers to export their data from Teams, addressing competition concerns raised after a Slack complaint in 2020[1][3][4]. EU competition chief Teresa Ribera emphasized that this decision opens up the market, allowing businesses to freely choose communication tools best suited to their needs[1].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 2:40:56 PM
Consumer and public reaction to Microsoft’s agreement to unbundle Teams from Office packages is cautiously optimistic, with competitors and customers raising no serious objections during the EU’s market test, indicating broad acceptance of the deal[2][4]. EU competition chief Teresa Ribera stated the decision “opens up competition in this crucial market” and allows businesses to freely choose their collaboration tools, reflecting approval of the move’s potential to enhance market fairness[3]. However, some industry watchers remain alert to the long-term impact, with Microsoft’s commitments enforceable for up to 10 years and fines of up to 10% of annual global revenue if breached, signaling ongoing scrutiny[1].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 2:50:51 PM
Microsoft has avoided a major EU antitrust fine by agreeing to separate its Teams communications app from Office 365 and Microsoft 365 software packages, with the EU approving the company’s commitments on Friday, September 12, 2025[1][3][4]. Under the agreement, Microsoft will offer Office suites without Teams at a discounted price and ensure interoperability between Teams and rival collaboration tools like Zoom and Slack, addressing concerns that bundling Teams with Office violated competition rules[2][3][5]. EU Competition Chief Teresa Ribera emphasized that this decision opens competition in the market, allowing businesses to freely choose their communication tools[1].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 3:00:58 PM
Microsoft's stock reacted positively following the EU's acceptance of its commitment to sell Teams separately from Office 365 and Microsoft 365, thus avoiding a substantial antitrust fine. Shares of MSFT rose by approximately 1.8% on the announcement day, reflecting investor relief over the resolution of regulatory uncertainty[3]. Market analysts noted that the move, which includes offering Office suites without Teams at a discount and improved interoperability with rivals like Slack and Zoom, was welcomed by customers and competitors, signaling a healthier competitive environment in the collaboration software market[2][5].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 3:11:03 PM
Microsoft has avoided a significant EU antitrust fine by agreeing to unbundle its Teams communication app from Office 365 and Microsoft 365 software packages, a move accepted by the European Commission to promote fair competition[1][3][4]. The settlement mandates Microsoft to offer Office suites at a discounted rate without Teams, ensure interoperability with rival platforms such as Zoom and Slack, and allow users to export their Teams data, measures expected to open the market to competitors across the EU[2][3][4][5]. Globally, this decision marks a shift in regulatory approaches from fines to behavioral remedies, influencing how Big Tech companies may adapt product bundling and pricing strategies worldwide amid growing calls for interoperability and consumer choice[2].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 3:21:05 PM
Microsoft has avoided a substantial EU antitrust fine by agreeing to separate its Teams communications app from Office 365 and Microsoft 365 software packages, following an EU investigation triggered by a 2020 complaint from Slack[1][3]. Under the settlement, Microsoft will offer versions of its Office suites without Teams at a reduced price, ensure interoperability with rival apps like Zoom and Slack, and allow users to export their Teams data[2][3][4]. EU competition chief Teresa Ribera said the decision "opens up competition in this crucial market," marking a shift toward regulatory settlements that reshape platform behavior rather than imposing fines[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 3:31:02 PM
The European Commission has accepted Microsoft's commitments to **separate its Teams app from Office 365 and Microsoft 365 packages**, thereby avoiding a potential hefty antitrust fine stemming from a 2023 investigation triggered by a complaint from Slack[1][3][4]. Microsoft will offer Office suites without Teams at a reduced price, allow long-term license holders to switch to these versions, guarantee interoperability between Teams and rival apps, and enable data export to competing platforms[3][4]. EU competition chief Teresa Ribera stated, "Today's decision opens up competition in this crucial market," highlighting the regulatory shift towards behavioral remedies rather than fines[1][4].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 3:41:21 PM
Microsoft avoided a major EU antitrust fine by agreeing to unbundle its Teams video conferencing app from Office 365 and Microsoft 365, selling Teams separately at a lower price for the Office suites without it[1][2][3]. Industry experts highlight this as a significant move toward increased market fairness, with commitments including improved interoperability with competitors like Zoom and Slack, and allowing users to export their Teams data, which the EU sees as opening opportunities for rival communication tools[1][3][4]. The EU’s approach, described by officials as a "soft enforcement" that fosters cooperative digital market regulation, signals a shift from punitive fines to reshaping platform behavior over possibly 10 years, with fines up to 10% of Microsoft’