On Thursday 25 September, the European Commission announced that it had opened an investigation into German business software giant SAP, on suspicion of possible breaches of competition rules.
The investigations relate to potential abuses of a dominant position allegedly committed by SAP in the maintenance and support services associated with its ERP software. These programmes help companies to manage all kinds of day-to-day activities (finance, human resources, project management). Maintenance can be carried out by SAP or, in principle, by independent service providers. However, according to the Commission, several of the group’s practices are designed to drive out competitors who are also present in this segment, such as the obligation imposed on customers wishing to use this software to include the group’s maintenance services in their contracts.
SAP is said to be imposing dissuasive charges on customers who choose to return to its maintenance services after using other providers.
SAP has denied any infringement, stating that it is convinced that its principles and activities fully comply with competition rules. It said it took the issues raised “very seriously” and was working closely with the Commission to resolve them. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)