Microsoft is reportedly nearing a multi-million-euro agreement with cloud lobby CISPE to put an end to its antitrust complaint.

First reported by Politco, the article cites "industry officials with knowledge of the proposal." However, a CISPE representative denied the claims to Reuters.

CISPE - also known as Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe - told Reuters: "These rumors are incorrect. Discussions between CISPE and Microsoft are ongoing, and while proposals have been made, no agreement has been reached."

It added: "Any offer will need to be submitted for acceptance to the association’s General Assembly, which includes 34 European cloud providers located in over 14 Member States."

CISPE also reiterated to DCD via email that "the Politico rumors are incorrect, and probably falsely spread by competitors of Microsoft."

Howeve, the Politico report did similarly note that the deal was not yet accepted by CISPE. Politico's sources said that the settlement could include a multi-million-euro payment to the trade association, and separate payments could also be made to separate companies.

Microsoft told Politico that it continues to work "constructively with CISPE to resolve concerns raised by European cloud providers." The company's president, Brad Smith, will meet the EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager on 4th June to discuss competition and artificial intelligence.

DCD has reached out to Microsoft and Amazon for comment. Amazon declined.

The antitrust complaint was made by CISPE in 2022. It argued that Microsoft's contractual terms were harming Europe's cloud computing ecosystem. CISPE members include Amazon, as well as 26 other small EU-based cloud providers.

CISPE said in its complaint that "Microsoft’s ongoing position and behaviors are irreparably damaging the European cloud ecosystem and depriving European customers of choice in their cloud deployments."

In February 2024 it was reported that Microsoft had commenced conversations with cloud providers to resolve the licensing dispute.