UK Tribunal Orders Microsoft to Produce Documents in £270 Million License Antitrust Case
Updated
Updated · Computerworld · Sep 18
UK Tribunal Orders Microsoft to Produce Documents in £270 Million License Antitrust Case
1 articles · Updated · Computerworld · Sep 18
Summary
Microsoft must explain by Oct. 31 why it did not disclose an internal “Second-Hand Software” presentation in ValueLicensing’s £270 million UK antitrust suit, after a tribunal order labeled it a “known adverse document.”
The consent order also compels searches of emails and repositories from 2012 to 2020, using more than 40 terms, and requires Microsoft to contact former executives including Kevin Turner, Jean-Philippe Courtois and Joe Matz by Nov. 30.
ValueLicensing alleges Microsoft used discounts and contract terms to push customers into Office 365 and Azure subscriptions while choking off the legal resale of perpetual software licenses in the UK and EEA.
Eleven previously confidential documents have been opened up, and any new materials produced under the order cannot be marked restricted or confidential.
The case adds to broader UK scrutiny of Microsoft’s licensing practices, including a 2025 opt-out class action alleging organizations were overcharged for Office and Windows licenses over a decade.