Ian Tyler-Clarke, an executive counselor at Info-Tech Research Group in the UK, said not every cloud company is thrilled with Microsoft joining CISPE. 

“There are concerns that Microsoft’s inclusion may create internal tensions with other major vendors, such as AWS. Despite this, the overall impact is anticipated to be a positive step towards fairness in the European cloud market,” Tyler-Clarke said. “Microsoft’s membership in CISPE represents a significant advancement towards fairer licensing practices, enhanced collaboration and the reduction of operational burdens through the suspension of certain licensing audits. This move is expected to foster a competitive and cooperative environment, benefiting both customers and providers.”

AWS’s board representative, Stéphane Ducable, VP for public policy for EMEA at AWS, voted against Microsoft’s acceptance, according to someone familiar with CISPE’s board deliberations. When contacted by CIO, Ducable did not reply, but another Amazon official, Harry Staight, the international policy and media relations lead at AWS, responded, saying “I can confirm we are declining to comment.”