EU Digital Rules Must Cover Software Platforms, Tech Groups Say

Legacy software platforms like SAP, Oracle and Microsoftshould be designated as unfair digital “gatekeepers” in new European Union rules to address anti-competitive behavior by big technology companies, four groups are urging.

In a letter to EU lawmakers seen by Bloomberg News, the technology groups said the bloc’s Digital Markets Act -- being debated before it becomes law sometime next year -- “falls short” of addressing software providers’ “unfair” licensing practices. The companies are locking in customers and self-preferencing when offering cloud services, according to the letter addressed to MEPs and the Commission.

“Those ‘software gatekeepers’ should not use ...