Google and Facebook are grappling with the xo proposed code that would allow them to share revenue with news publishers. On Wednesday, Microsoft backed an Australian law that would force tech companies to share royalties with publishers.Google and Facebook have been grappling with a draft regulation that would force them to negotiate mediation with publishers.

The code makes reasonable efforts to address the bargaining power imbalance between Australia's digital platform and news business," said Microsoft President Brad Smith at the release. "Although Microsoft is not subject to pending legislation. Now But we are happy to abide by these rules if the government requires us.Last month, Google threatened to remove its search engine from Australia if the code became legal, according to Facebook that users could be blocked from sharing the news.

Smith also noted that Microsoft will invest in Bing, its search engine, to bring it closer to its competitors.Google currently has 94% of the country's search market, according to industry data cited by Reuters.Google was not directly responding to Microsoft's release, but it has previously argued that the code would disrupt the way search works and counter the fundamentals of the current form of the Internet.