PARIS, Feb 10 (Reuters) - France's antitrust agency is

investigating Microsoft ( MSFT ) over concerns that it is

degrading the quality of results when smaller rivals pay to use

Bing technology in their own search-engine products, Bloomberg

reported on Monday.

The competition authority declined to comment, citing a

policy of not publicly speaking about investigations that were

underway. A Microsoft ( MSFT ) spokesperson did not immediately respond

to a request for comment.

The investigation could lead to formal charges and a fine

against the U.S. tech giant.