Editor’s note: The Skinny blog is written by WRAL editor and cofounder Rick Smith.
CARY – World Programming Ltd. has proclaimed victory in its long-running legal battle with SAS. But no one at the privately held software giant in Cary has given up
“SAS is disappointed in the recent copyright decision against SAS, and intends to appeal it,” SAS spokesperson Shannon Heath tells WRAL TechWire.
“The recent copyright decision does not disturb any of the earlier rulings against WPL stemming from WPL’s breach of contract and fraud; nor does it change that WPL remains enjoined from licensing WPS to any new customer for use within the United States.”
Heath adds that SAS wants money – a lot of it.
Rick Smith, WRAL TechWire’s editor and a cofounder, writes The Skinny.
“WPL remains responsible for paying SAS nearly all of the $79 million award against WPL,” Heath says.
Three years ago, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a North Carolina district court judgment finding World Programming Ltd. liable for fraud and breach of a software license against Cary-based SAS, the leader in analytics. The cumulative judgment against WPL is more than $79 million. But the legal fight has continued.
On Oct. 27, WPL proclaimed victory in the case when a federal judge in Texas “dismissed” a “set of copyright infringement claims.”
WPL also noted that SAS “had voluntarily withdrawn all other claims, alleging patent infringement.”
The legal battle dates back 11 years.
Claire Blewett, general legal counsel for World Programming, noted:
“This latest judicial decision, consistently with those that preceded it, properly recognises that World Programming’s software has been lawfully created. I hope that World Programming can now begin to enjoy the real fruits of its exceptionally dedicated and talented team whose software should be allowed to flourish rather than face any more unsubstantiated allegations of copyright infringement.”
