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Bloomberg reported on 16 July 2024 that Google offered Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE) a package valued at about €470 million to persuade the trade group to maintain its complaint about Microsoft’s cloud licensing practices. The reported package included cash and software licences. It was an attributed report—not an official valuation, a confirmed transfer, or a finding that Google acted unlawfully.

What was Google’s reported €470 million offer?

According to Bloomberg’s 16 July 2024 report, Google made CISPE a package valued at approximately €470 million. Bloomberg’s account relied on confidential documents and people familiar with the matter. The package was described as combining cash and software licences.

The reported figure has also appeared in coverage by Fortune and Network World. It is Bloomberg’s reported estimate of the proposed package, not a European Commission valuation. The sources cited here do not establish that Google publicly confirmed the precise amount or that the package was finalized or transferred.

Why was CISPE complaining about Microsoft?

CISPE, a trade group representing European cloud infrastructure providers, filed a complaint against Microsoft in November 2022. The complaint concerned Microsoft’s cloud software licensing practices and their alleged competitive effect on rival cloud providers. Those claims were allegations by the complainant, not an adjudicated conclusion that Microsoft broke the law.

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Google’s reported offer was described as an effort to persuade CISPE to continue with its complaint. CISPE’s role was that of complainant; the European Commission, not Google or CISPE, was responsible for deciding whether and how to investigate.

What happened to CISPE’s complaint?

In July 2024, CISPE settled with Microsoft and withdrew its complaint. Bloomberg reported that Google’s counteroffer was an unsuccessful attempt to keep the complaint alive. The settlement ended CISPE’s complaint; it did not determine the merits of Google’s separate allegations or amount to a Commission ruling on Microsoft’s licensing practices.

What happened to Google’s separate EU complaint?

Google later filed its own complaint with the European Commission on 25 September 2024, alleging that Microsoft’s cloud licensing practices restricted competition. The Commission confirmed receipt and said it would assess the complaint under standard procedures, according to the Associated Press.

Microsoft responded: “Having failed to persuade European companies, we expect Google similarly will fail to persuade the European Commission.” That was Microsoft’s characterization, not a Commission finding. ITPro reported on 1 December 2025 that Google had withdrawn its separate complaint.

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Was the reported offer found to be illegal?

The sources cited here do not report a finding by the European Commission that Google’s reported offer was unlawful. The €470 million figure remains attributed reporting based on confidential documents and sources familiar with the matter; it should not be treated as an official finding or proof of a completed payment. Separately, the Commission’s receipt of Google’s later complaint was not a ruling on the underlying allegations.

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