Swiss competition authority launches investigation into Microsoft licensing fees

GENEVA

The Secretariat of the Swiss Competition Commission (ComCo) has launched a preliminary investigation into licensing fees charged by Microsoft in Switzerland, citing concerns that recent price increases may amount to an unlawful restriction of competition.

In a statement on Thursday, the ComCO said it is examining complaints related to significant increases in the prices of Microsoft product licenses, particularly Microsoft 365. The fee hikes affect private companies as well as numerous government agencies, public enterprises and other government-related bodies, it said.

The preliminary probe aims, according to the statement, to determine whether the observed increases constitute indications of an unlawful restriction of competition under Switzerland’s Cartel Act. If such indications are confirmed, the secretariat said, this could lead to the opening of a formal investigation.

The inquiry is being carried out by the ComCo, which is responsible for enforcing competition law in Switzerland. According to the statement, authorities may also consider involving the Price Supervision Authority in the assessment, depending on the findings of the preliminary investigation.