Microsoft reported to the Office of Fair Trading

Becta, the government's education technology agency, has today made a complaint to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for alleged anti-competitive practices by Microsoft in the schools software marketplace and in relation to Microsoft's approach to document interoperability.

An interim report published by Becta in January 2007 into Microsoft's Academic Licensing arrangements highlighted a number of fundamental concerns impacting on choice, competition in the marketplace and value for money for schools. A separate report into Vista and Office 2007 highlighted concerns in relation to interoperability.

Since their publication, Becta has been in discussions with Microsoft to secure the changes necessary to address the issues identified in both reports. Some progress has been made, though a number of fundamental issues remain unresolved. These centre around the limitations Microsoft places on schools using its subscription licensing arrangements and the potential interoperability difficulties for schools, pupils and parents who wish to use alternatives to Microsoft's Office suite, including 'free to use' alternatives.