FTC investigates Microsoft’s bundling and licensing practices: A closer look into antitrust concerns

Summary:

1. The FTC is investigating Microsoft’s relationship with OpenAI, including concerns about data centers, capacity constraints, AI spending, and research.
2. Microsoft’s $1 billion investment in OpenAI has raised questions about potential antitrust issues and reduced competition in the AI research field.
3. Analysts are drawing parallels between this investigation and a 1990s case involving Microsoft’s monopoly of desktop software and web browsers.

   Unique, Detailed Article:

   The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is currently delving into Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI, looking beyond licensing and bundling issues to explore the tech giant’s data centers, capacity constraints, AI spending, and research endeavors. Of particular interest is Microsoft’s substantial investment in OpenAI, which has blossomed into a lucrative partnership with ChatGPT-powered features permeating its product lineup in 2023. The FTC is now examining whether this collaboration amounts to an undisclosed merger that should have undergone antitrust scrutiny.

   Furthermore, the federal agency is scrutinizing Microsoft’s alleged decision to dial back its own AI research efforts post the OpenAI investment, potentially stifling competition in the AI landscape. This examination has sparked memories of a pivotal 1990s federal investigation into Microsoft’s dominance in desktop software and web browsers. Back then, a federal judge concluded that Microsoft had strategically integrated Internet Explorer into Windows to undermine competitors like Netscape.

   Analysts are quick to draw parallels between the current FTC probe and Microsoft’s past antitrust woes, suggesting that the company has not heeded the lessons learned from its earlier legal battles. Despite the evolution of technology and industry trends since the late 90s, Microsoft’s tactics seem to have remained eerily consistent, as noted by industry experts. This investigation serves as a stark reminder that even tech behemoths are not immune to regulatory scrutiny and potential repercussions for anti-competitive practices.