Coalition for Fair Software Licensing

A coalition of North American organizations experiencing restrictive software licensing practices.

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

From universities to insurers to startups, businesses across the UK say they're locked in, overcharged, and out of options. Bold remedies are needed now.

Read our latest blog to find out why: https://t.co/X78gSOEtvE

[ComputerWeekly @ComputerWeekly]

The £1,100 lock-in: CMA Microsoft probe exposes software ecosystem at a crossroads https://t.co/xuTDFv3yRu

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

Across the globe, Microsoft is under intensifying regulatory scrutiny over its licensing and pricing practices that actively harm customers and distort competition.

https://t.co/jDhR4cQX4O

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

This is exactly why we support the Veterans Affairs Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act!

The VA is already taking great steps to manage restrictive licensing practices. The bill will go even further to help eliminate duplication and save taxpayer dollars.

[The Register @TheRegister]

Veterans Affairs has lost track of software licenses amid $985M bill https://t.co/7rQIMRnssZ

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

The CMA's investigation is a critical first step to address the anticompetitive software licensing practices that have inflicted harm on UK businesses for years.

Swift development of conduct requirements and zero tolerance for delay are needed to protect customers.

[Engadget @engadget]

It's examining whether or not the bundling of Word, Excel, Teams and Copilot is uncompetitive. https://t.co/i0BEVZUe8H

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

Tech decision makers agree: the Principles of Fair Software Licensing are a common sense way to ensure that the digital economy remains competitive and fair.

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

NEW DATA: 75% of workers say Microsoft exploits its productivity dominance to push its AI tools. The Office E7 bundle out today is the latest example, forcing employers into a costly AI package they don't want, don't value, and that squeezes competition.

https://t.co/LT0mIlwrWr

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

Two Microsoft Outlook accounts failed in space during Artemis II. NASA pays ~$100M/year for Microsoft software — not by choice, but because lock-in leaves no way out.

CFSL Executive Director Ryan Triplette breaks it down in @WashTimes: https://t.co/V8K3EBRtCH

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

Iowa taxpayers are footing a hidden bill, not for better government services, but because agencies are trapped in software contracts they can't escape.

Lawmakers in Iowa and across the country are working to address the vendor lock-in that costs states millions.

[The Gazette @gazettedotcom]

Opinion: The vendor lock-in Tax buried in Iowa's IT budget https://t.co/dcnUsDi8QM

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

Every dollar the VA wastes on duplicate software licenses or unnecessary fees to a legacy software vendor exploiting opaque contract terms is one that should be going to veterans' care.

@RepNancyMace's VAMOSA Act will protect veterans and taxpayers alike!

[MeriTalk @MeriTalk]

🚨 Lawmakers on the @HouseVetAffairs Committee are scrutinizing software waste and data privacy risks at VA, weighing new bills to improve license tracking and protect veterans’ data.

https://t.co/azRJCTwOwn

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

We’ve long espoused Software Licensing Principles that address global concerns about the practices of legacy software providers and the impact on public and private sector customers.

As of yesterday, those concerns have gone galactic. We’re adjusting our principles accordingly.

[Tom Warren @tomwarren]

NASA’s mission to orbit the Moon is being interrupted by Outlook (New) and Outlook (classic) both refusing to open 😂

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

Today, the @CMAgovUK announced one of the most significant structural interventions to date - a SMS investigation into @Microsoft's business software ecosystem, which has been harming customers for years.

Now, @RTriplette urges the CMA to move quickly👇

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

Taxpayers are getting fleeced by sneaky software contracts that lock government agencies into restrictive terms and turn them into cash cows for legacy software vendors. States across the country are fighting back.

Every state should. 👇
https://t.co/tHvkHQRjQw

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

Expert Michael Garland in @Capitol_Weekly: As California commits to another 5 years of Microsoft spending, taxpayers deserve to know if they are getting a return on their investment, or if the state is wasting millions while stifling competition.

https://t.co/9ymF21LNRc

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

The crackdown on Microsoft is intensifying.

Earlier this month, the U.S. FTC accelerated its investigation into the company's anticompetitive software licensing and tying practices.

Now, Japan joins the growing list of countries taking regulatory action.

[Bloomberg @business]

Japanese regulators are investigating Microsoft’s local unit over possible anti-competitive practices involving the Azure cloud platform https://t.co/Fyk80AcQGk

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

👀NEW REPORT: Ahead of CA’s planned renewal of a massive, 5-year software contract with Microsoft, expert Michael Garland argues the state should use leverage to save taxpayer $, improve innovation & focus on competition, diversity, and interoperability.

https://t.co/DvsYWh4bEe

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

Microsoft’s anticompetitive software licensing and tying practices have sparked an unprecedented wave of global scrutiny.

Regulators worldwide are no longer falling for stall tactics and attempts at misdirection. The time for swift, meaningful enforcement is now.

[Bloomberg @business]

The US Federal Trade Commission is accelerating scrutiny of Microsoft as part of an ongoing probe into whether the company illegally monopolizes large swaths of the enterprise computing market with its cloud software and AI offerings https://t.co/UDfVQnGLu6

[Dina Bass @dinabass]

The FTC is accelerating an antitrust probe of Microsoft and has sent requests for information to cloud and office software rivals relating to things like licensing Office/Windows for rival clouds & AI/Copilot, sources tell @joshua_sisco, me & @mattmday https://t.co/4fjn1gKVIB

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

This week, HB 913 passed out of the GA House Governmental Affairs Committee. Six states have already passed fair software legislation and GA is next!

The bill protects the states' right to choose software based on performance, cost, flexibility, and security, NOT vendor lock-in.

[Coalition for Fair Software Licensing @CoalitionForFSL]

Fair software licensing legislation is gaining momentum nationwide thanks to a focus on putting residents, not restrictive contracts, at the center of technology decisions.

Read more from Executive Director Ryan Triplette in @ProvBusNews https://t.co/Lbw4IG5l0c