Problem solving is basically patent. After all what is stopping a megacorp from using the same solution but in such a way that doesn’t copy the exact work? Software for example, with current IP law, clean room reverse engineering is completely legal.
Think of how Tribute of Panem and Divergent almost have the exact same story beats but are still separate IP. IP protects singular works, like authors and their books, artists and their work.
The “microsoft rival”, as it is called in the headline, is alfaview, a company that offers GDPR compliant video conferencing software.
And they complain that Teams gets bundled with Office by default which givea this an advantage over other (their) product.