Microsoft faces $2.8 billion UK lawsuit for overcharging cloud customers

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled Microsoft must face a £2.1 billion ($2.8 billion) class-action lawsuit. The claim represents nearly 60,000 British businesses.

Plaintiffs allege Microsoft overcharged for Windows Server software used on rival platforms like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud. This practice allegedly abused market dominance to favor Microsoft’s Azure service.

The tribunal certified the case as an opt-out collective proceeding. This designation automatically includes all affected UK businesses unless they explicitly withdraw.

Judges rejected Microsoft’s argument that the case lacked a clear method for calculating damages. Microsoft plans to appeal the decision.