Qwant, which relies on Microsoft’s Bing platform to power its search and news results, had alleged that Microsoft imposed exclusivity restrictions that limited its ability to develop its own search engine and artificial intelligence capabilities. The French company also claimed that Microsoft favored its own advertising in the allocation of search ads, undermining Qwant’s competitiveness.
Last month, Qwant had anticipated the possibility of its complaint being dismissed, stating it would consider pursuing legal action or approaching other regulatory authorities if necessary.
Microsoft welcomed the ruling, with a spokesperson saying: “We agree with the decision and remain committed to providing high-quality search services and fostering innovation for consumers and partners in France and across Europe.”
The tech giant is a major player in the European search-engine syndication market, providing search results to smaller rivals including Ecosia, DuckDuckGo, and Lilo, in addition to Qwant.
Qwant did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
