Microsoft dodges EU fine by unbundling Teams from Office

Microsoft has avoided a potential fine from the European Union (EU) by agreeing to unbundle its Teams messaging and collaboration software from its Office productivity suite. The EU investigation was prompted by a complaint filed by Slack in 2020, alleging that Microsoft was engaging in anti-competitive practices by tying Teams to Office. Under the agreement, Microsoft will allow European users to download and use Office without also installing Teams. This move is intended to address the EU's concerns about Microsoft's bundling of its products, which could potentially limit customer choice and stifle competition in the market. The EU's antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, stated that the decision will "ensure that European customers have access to a wider choice when it comes to productivity software." The agreement also includes commitments from Microsoft to maintain interoperability between Teams and other collaboration tools, further promoting a competitive environment.