UK tribunal throws out Microsoft’s arguments against ValueLicensing ValueLicensing intends to seek £270 million from Microsoft Microsoft says it will appeal the decision The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal has ruled Microsoft cannot block customers from reselling perpetual software licenses, marking the end of a years-long debate. The debate started in 2021, when ValueLicensing sought £270 million on the basis that Microsoft used contracts to prevent license reselling and despite the latter arguing that reselling licenses infringed Argument number two relates to Office and Windows including copyrighted non-program elements (like icons, fonts, clip art, and resource/help files). The Tribunal found that buyers purchase Microsoft’s software as computer programs, not as collections of artistic work, and therefore Microsoft lost this battle too. The Tribunal “unanimous[ly]” ruled against Microsoft on both issues. “Now these preliminary issues have been decided, we look forward to continuing the claim against Microsoft.” Microsoft told The Register it disagrees with the decision, and intends to appeal. Follow TechRadar Make sure to click the Follow button!.
https://www.techradar.com/pro/microsoft-loses-bid-to-ban-license-reselling-as-uk-court-gives-it-the-thumbs-up