Versata v. Ameriprise sparked a series of legal actions that have the potential to drastically redefine open licensing, specifically the GPLv2.
- Versata sues Ameriprise over their use of 3rd party contractors to create modifications to Versata’s proprietary code. Their argument is decompiling the code is a violation of the license.
- Ameriprise discovers code in Versata’s software that is licensed under GPLv2.
- Ameriprise counter-sues, claiming the entire software package should be licensed under GPLv2, meaning 3rd-party modifications are acceptable.
- XimpleWare sues both Versata and Ameriprise, claiming violations of the GPL license.
- This case will further define what constitutes a ‘distribution’ when something is licensed under GPL.
- XimpleWare also claims GPL is not a patent license, but rather a copyright license. Something that could have far reaching negative impacts on GPL-licensed software.
