Ford to pay $105 million in trade secrets case

Ford was ordered to pay $104.6 million in damages to Versata Software Inc. According to the lawsuit, the automaker was found guilty of violating a 2004 licensing contract and misusing trade secrets. 

Versata said that two companies had partnered from 1998 to 2015. Under the agreement, Versata had developed a vehicle software program for the manufacturer to use. During that period of time, Versata expended effort in designing vehicles with "seamless real time updates" worldwide together with Ford’s engineers and marketing agents.

Ford terminated the contract and refused to pay annual licensing fees to the software company. Versata later filed charges against the manufacturer accusing it of copying and using their software without a license. In 2014, the automaker gave up on Versata’s ‘‘final’’ offer to license the major software for $17 million a year.

The jury awarded $82.26 million for a breach of contract and $22.4 million for a misuse of confidential information.  Versata estimated damages for a misuse of trade secrets at $59.9 million.

Ford officials said they respected the jury's verdict. However, they are planning to appeal it.