The European Commission has started formal antitrust investigations against IBM in two separate cases of alleged infringements of EU antitrust rules related to the abuse of a dominant market position. The cases are related to IBM’s conduct on the market for mainframe computers. The first case follows complaints by emulator software vendors T3 and Turbo Hercules, and concerns IBM’s alleged tying of mainframe hardware to its mainframe operating system. The second investigation was rolled out at the Commission’s own initiative and focuses on IBM’s alleged discriminatory behaviour towards competing suppliers of mainframe
maintenance services. IBM is accused to have engaged in illegal tying of its mainframe hardware products to its dominant mainframe operating system. The complaints contend that the tying shuts out providers of emulation technology which could enable the users to run critical applications on non-IBM hardware.
Additionally, the EC has concerns that IBM may have engaged in anti-competitive practices with a view to foreclosing the market for maintenance services, in particular by restricting or delaying access to spare parts for which IBM is the only source. The Commission will further investigate the cases as a matter of priority.
Source:-Additionally, the EC has concerns that IBM may have engaged in anti-competitive practices with a view to foreclosing the market for maintenance services, in particular by restricting or delaying access to spare parts for which IBM is the only source. The Commission will further investigate the cases as a matter of priority.
