Google & Microsoft agree to global ceasefire in regulatory battles
Roger Fingas
Two of Apple's chief rivals, Google and Microsoft, on Friday announced a mutual agreement to drop regulatory complaints against each other around the world, further promising to try and settle any disputes themselves before using governments as a weapon.
"Microsoft has agreed to withdraw its regulatory complaints against Google, reflecting our changing legal priorities," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement obtained by Re/code. Google made a similar comment, suggesting it would compete on the merit of its products.
Microsoft added that it isn't taking a position on the European Commission's antitrust charges against Google, which have accused it of hampering competition in some of its Android licensing terms. Microsoft was once a member of FairSearch and ICOMP, two groups that filed antitrust complaints against Google, but is now out of both organizations.
The switch in policies may be attributable to Google and Microsoft's latest leaders, Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella, who appear to have adopted a more friendly stance than their predecessors. Microsoft in particular has adopted a multi-platform strategy, including developing more apps for iOS, Android, and Mac, not just Windows devices.
In September 2015 the two companies halted 20 patent lawsuits against each other in the U.S. and Germany, among them Motorola-related disputes.
Malcolm Owen
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