SAP under the magnifying glass of the EC. Proceedings were initiated regarding the restriction of competition

On Thursday, the European Commission initiated formal proceedings regarding possible practices limiting the competition used by the German SAP concern. It is about the company's software in the version installed on customer servers.

The EC has raised four issues raising reservations: the obligation to use SAP support services used by the company, the inability to resign from services in the event of unused software licenses, automatic extending the period in which the contract is impossible is impossible, and calculating high fees for re -joining the use of services after the break.

According to the EC, such practices may limit competition against independent SAP support services providers and lead to imposing unfair commercial conditions for clients.

According to the EC, SAP may present the Commission explanations and proposals to solve the problem.

The EC has no statutory deadline for the end of the investigation – the duration depends, among others from the complexity of the case and the degree of cooperation of interested parties with the Commission.

SAP is a German technology concern belonging to the world's largest business software producers. The company specializes in systems that support the management of business activities such as finance, logistics, staff and projects.

SAP software can be installed on customer servers or delivered in the so -called cloud. The company employs over 100,000 employees and serves hundreds of thousands of clients around the world, including many of the largest corporations.

From Brussels Łukasz Osiński (PAP)

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