Cloud giant competition intensifies! Google is exploring options to counter Microsoft's licensing

According to CNBC, Amit Zavery, head of Google Cloud under Alphabet (GOOGL.US), stated that Google Cloud will explore various options to counter Microsoft's (MSFT.US) licensing practices. Prior to Zavery's remarks, Microsoft reached an agreement with the Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE) to address concerns about unfair software licensing for cloud infrastructure providers and their customers. The settlement agreement does not include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, and Alibaba Cloud (BABA.US), with the first two companies expressing dissatisfaction.

Zavery said, "Many regulatory agencies have begun investigating Microsoft's licensing practices, and we hope to have remedial measures to protect the cloud market from the impact of Microsoft's anti-competitive behavior." Zavery added that the company is exploring various options to continue to fight against Microsoft's alleged anti-competitive licensing to promote choice, innovation, and growth in the European digital economy.

CISPE claims that Microsoft's actions are undermining Europe's cloud ecosystem and depriving customers of choices in cloud deployments. In February of this year, the trade organization announced that it had begun discussions with Microsoft to address these issues, reaching a settlement of €20 million (approximately $21.7 million) so far