Versata Sues Ford Over IP Theft Linked To Configuration Software

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Texas software company Versata is suing former partner Ford over claims the automaker stole code from its proprietary technology.

The lawsuit, presented before a U.S. District Court judge in Texas and filed May 7, says Ford received a patent in 2014 for internally developed software meant to identify incompatible parts across a million vehicle configurations to avoid recall issues, Automotive News reports. The company goes on to claim said patent was based upon code for its own software, which was used by the automaker between 1998 and 2014 under an agreement netting Versata $8.45 million per year, and was denied a request to examine the new system in violation of the agreement.

Versata is seeking an injunction to block Ford from using the latter’s so-called Automotive Configuration Manager, and gives the automaker until June 29 to respond.

Ford denies the allegations, proclaiming the new software was developed in 2010 after Versata declared its technology “obsolete,” adding its replacement handles vehicle configuration “very differently, and more efficiently” compared to Versata’s software. The automaker also is seeking to dismiss or transfer the case out of Texas to Michigan.

[Photo credit: Ford]

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Big Al from Oz Big Al from Oz on Jun 05, 2015

    The pickup in the photo would look at lot nicer without the little dick, big rig grilles. Overly animated. I suppose until Ford can learn how to fold and work with aluminium most bends will be straight. Maybe that Nesbitt guy was moonlighting and designed the front end of this F-150. How many acres of grille do you require for a 2.7 litre engine?

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    • Heavy handle Heavy handle on Jun 06, 2015

      @Bill Wade "Just because someone sues over something doesnt automaticly mean the one being sued is guilty of anything" Exactly. Suing is a legitimate business practice, even if the case is not solid. Public companies will almost always settle out of court even if they think they can win the case. It's better to pay a known amount than to gamble on a jury trial, especially if you will be portrayed as the big evil company stealing from a small business. Juries don't understand computer code, but they do understand getting f***'d over by bullies.

  • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Jun 05, 2015

    @Big Al - I'm more inclined to agree with the other guys but since you went there, the Raptor grill/snout(old or next gen) looks better than anything else in the Ford lineup. Back on topic, intellectual property can be hard to prove.

    • Big Al from Oz Big Al from Oz on Jun 06, 2015

      @Lou_BC, I do think you are a little harsh with your assessment of my comment. You do know this is how I usually describe the front end of pickups. I'm even harsher with Ram fugly front end. As for the article, the first part of the article you pay attention to is the picture and not the text in the title. The picture moves it's focus to the grille. The worst part of the vehicle, as it does have an acceptable stance. I do like that colour Ford uses as well. My comment is in relation to the picture. This Raptor doesn't exist yet.

  • Big Al from Oz Big Al from Oz on Jun 06, 2015

    TTAC Staff, Here is an interesting, industry related story. Makes for some interesting reading to where and how the US tax dollar is and can be used. Here's an excerpt from the article with the link; "Here is a bloke who has lived through the merger and demerger, has worked through 13,000 jobs cuts in the US, has seen his colleagues tighten their belts or lose their jobs during the bankruptcy crisis, and here in Australia we have been spending like drunken sailors, having $1 million Christmas parties and buying Louis Vuitton bags for staff. "Think about it. We have never really made a dollar here in Australia. We have been living off the money of the parent company to build a presence, build market share. "And for a long period of time that money was coming from US taxpayers as part of the bail-out. I can't even imagine what the reaction is back in Michigan. Someone will have popped a fuse about this." The link; http://www.smh.com.au/business/fiat-chrysler-boss-clyde-campbell-crashes-to-ground-20150606-ghh9rq

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