U.S. District Court Judge Matthew F. Leitman for the Eastern District of Michigan ruled against Ford Motor Corp last week after three years of litigation. The judge ruled that Ford was wrong in claiming it owned valuable software supplied by Versata. The Judge ruled that Versata’s software – it provides sales lead and gauges market demand – was legally protected and that a jury could find Ford stole the protected trade secrets and Ford could be held liable for doing so.
Versata declared publicly that the jury verdict could result in hundreds of millions of dollars of damages to Ford and could result in an injunction from using the “copycat” substitute software Ford secretly created behind closed doors that infringes on Versata’s property rights.
Such an injunction also could cause a major hit to Ford’s business and profits it claimed. Versata questioned whether the court’s decision needed to be disclosed to shareholders and the public through SEC filings, which thus far are non-existent.
“This is a great victory for Versata,” a spokesperson claimed. “We appreciate the court’s rejection of Ford’s false claims, after all these years of accusations that Versata didn’t legally own the protected trade secrets.” We look forward to a trial early next year so that jury can decide whether Ford illegally copied our trade secrets and codes. If so, Ford could be barred from using those stolen trade secrets and software, possibly resulting in an injunction against further use.”
The privately held company was formerly known as Trilogy Software, Inc. Versata Software, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. Versata Software, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Versata Enterprises, Inc, according to Bloomberg.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Versata, Not Ford, Owns Trade Secrets says Federal Judge
U.S. District Court Judge Matthew F. Leitman for the Eastern District of Michigan ruled against Ford Motor Corp last week after three years of litigation. The judge ruled that Ford was wrong in claiming it owned valuable software supplied by Versata. The Judge ruled that Versata’s software – it provides sales lead and gauges market demand – was legally protected and that a jury could find Ford stole the protected trade secrets and Ford could be held liable for doing so.
Versata declared publicly that the jury verdict could result in hundreds of millions of dollars of damages to Ford and could result in an injunction from using the “copycat” substitute software Ford secretly created behind closed doors that infringes on Versata’s property rights.
Such an injunction also could cause a major hit to Ford’s business and profits it claimed. Versata questioned whether the court’s decision needed to be disclosed to shareholders and the public through SEC filings, which thus far are non-existent.
“This is a great victory for Versata,” a spokesperson claimed. “We appreciate the court’s rejection of Ford’s false claims, after all these years of accusations that Versata didn’t legally own the protected trade secrets.” We look forward to a trial early next year so that jury can decide whether Ford illegally copied our trade secrets and codes. If so, Ford could be barred from using those stolen trade secrets and software, possibly resulting in an injunction against further use.”
The privately held company was formerly known as Trilogy Software, Inc. Versata Software, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. Versata Software, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Versata Enterprises, Inc, according to Bloomberg.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.