Editing Versata

{{Short description|Software company}}

{{Infobox company
| name = Versata
| logo = Versata Logo.png
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| foundation = 1991<ref name=Booker />
| location_city = [[Austin, Texas]]
| location_country = [[United States]]
| industry = [[Software]]
| owner = [[Joe Liemandt]]
| parent = ESW Capital
| homepage = {{URL |www.versata.com}}
}}

'''Versata''' is a privately held software company, one of several business units under the ESW Capital umbrella. Versata acquires underperforming or financially struggling [[enterprise software]] companies, integrates them into their portfolio, and makes operational changes to improve the viability and performance of the companies.

==History==

=== Early years (1991–2000) ===
This company was founded in 1991 with the name '''Image Innovations'''; Naren Bakshi was co-founder and president, Kevin Fletcher Tweedy was vice president of technology, and they sold a development tool set named Image Application WorkBench that worked with [[Plex Systems|Plexus Software's]] imaging platform.<ref name=Booker>{{cite news |last1=Booker |first1=Ellis |title=4GL development tool targets images |url=https://archive.org/details/computerworld2622unse/ |access-date=April 15, 2025 |work=Computerworld |date=June 1, 1992 |page=61}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mazzola |first1=Jim |title=NCR Forms Alliance With Image Innovation Solutions |url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/ncr-forms-alliance-with-image-innovation/docview/447043106/se-2 |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 April 2025 |work=Business Wire |date=December 17, 1992}}</ref> 

In 1997, the company name changed to '''Vision Software'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Trademark Serial No. 74616757  |url=https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=74616757 |website=United States Patent and Trademark Office |publisher=USPTO |access-date=2025-04-13 |date=1994-12-30}}<br /><small>View <i>Documents</i> tab’s <i>Trademark Documents</i> to view correspondence that indicates first use on July 1, 1996.</small></ref> They sold a small suite of software: Vision Builder for accelerated coding;<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Brien |first1=Bob |title=Vision Builder May Start Fires |url=https://www.proquest.com/trade-journals/vision-builder-may-start-fires/docview/194312981/se-2 |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 15, 2025 |work=InfoWorld |date=April 22, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970511163251fw_/http://www.vision-soft.com/bld2.htm |archive-date=May 11, 1997}}</ref> and Vision StoryBoard Pro for creating software documentation.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chandak |first1=Ramesh |last2=Chandak |first2=Purshottam |title=Web Programming With Microsoft Tools 6 in 1 |date=1997 |publisher=Que Corporation |location=Indianapolis |isbn=0-7897-1215-6 |pages=176–177 |url=https://archive.org/details/webprogrammingwi00chan/ |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref> In 1998, their flagship product was a Java development tool named Vision JADE.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grehan |first1=Rick |title=Javatalk: Rapid Java Development |url=https://archive.org/details/199806_byte_magazine_vol_23_06_win98_road_map_pdf__mlib/ |access-date=16 April 2025 |work=Byte Magazine |date=June 1998 |pages=109-110}}</ref>

In January 2000, the company changed names again, this time to '''Versata''',<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Vision Software Renamed Versata, Inc. |url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/vision-software-renamed-versata-inc/docview/449443509/se-2 |url-access=subscription |date=January 5, 2000}}</ref> and their e-business automation system, Versata Logic Suite, had three components: Versata Logic Server to host business rules written in Java, Versata Studio for developing the business rules, and Versata Connectors for connecting the logic server to IBM database servers.<ref name=Zeichick>{{cite news |last1=Zeichick |first1=Alan |title=IBM Extends VisualAge for E-Business |url=https://archive.org/details/sdtimes005/ |access-date=16 April 2025 |work=SD Times |date=May 1, 2000 |page=19}}</ref>

=== Public company (2000–2006) ===
They went public in March 2000 during the [[dot-com bubble]], raising about $94 million and reaching a market capitalization of over $2.5 billion despite reporting just $13 million in revenue and a $21 million loss in the prior year.<ref name=Zeichick /><ref>{{cite news |title=IPO Report: AsiaInfo Holdings, Versata lead the post-Palm pack |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/ipo-report-asiainfo-holdings-versata-lead-the-post-palm-pack |url-access=subscription |work=MarketWatch |date=March 3, 2000 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250416020932/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/ipo-report-asiainfo-holdings-versata-lead-the-post-palm-pack |archive-date=April 16, 2025}}</ref> In November 2000, Versata expanded into the business workflow area with the acquisition of Verve, Inc. and its workflow management system by the same name.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rubinstein |first1=David |title=Versata Looks to Rule in J2EE Environments |url=https://archive.org/details/sdtimes044/ |access-date=16 April 2025 |work=SD Times |issue=44 |date=December 15, 2001 |page=12}}</ref>

From early 2001 through mid-2003, Versata's revenues were in quarter-over-quarter decline until Alan Baratz took over as CEO.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rosenberg |first1=Alec |title=Surviving the Slump |url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/surviving-slump/docview/351900986/se-2 |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 April 2025 |work=Oakland Tribune |date=February 8, 2004}}</ref> Five consecutive quarters of growth followed until early 2005, when revenues once again took a downward plunge. In mid-2005, the company was notified by NASDAQ that it no longer met NASDAQ's requirements for continued listing, related to maintenance of a minimum amount of shareholder's equity, market value, or net income. In July 2005, Versata was delisted from NASDAQ<ref>{{cite web |title=Corporate Actions: Delisted: 2005 |url=https://stockanalysis.com/actions/delisted/2005/ |website=Stock Analysis |access-date=23 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423115800/https://stockanalysis.com/actions/delisted/2005/ |archive-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref> and publicly traded on the OTC (also known as the [[Pink Sheets LLC|Pink Sheets]]).

== Versata, a business unit of ESW Capital ==

In January 2006, Austin-based [[Trilogy (company)|Trilogy, Inc]]. acquired the company and took it private.<ref name=TrilogyAcquires>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Sale of Versata, Inc. Finalized |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1034397/000119312506010009/dex991.htm |date=January 23, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018230405/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1034397/000119312506010009/dex991.htm |archive-date=October 18, 2023 |access-date=April 15, 2025}}</ref> Trilogy then proceeded to merge portions of Trilogy, specifically, Trilogy Technology Group, into Versata and began acquiring further companies, reorganizing dramatically and offshoring most technical positions to its office in Bangalore, India{{Dubious|date=May 2010}}.

From 2006 to 2008, Versata continued to make acquisitions mostly in US. Most of the employees in the acquired companies were laid -off with the majority work being offshored to its India office in Bangalore{{Dubious|date=May 2010}}.

In early 2009, Versata made another major overhaul of its business model when it asked all its employees in India to work as contractors through [[oDesk]] for a gDev which is an entity incorporated by Trilogy to manage its outsourcing activities. The only employees left in Versata were the ones in US.<ref name="gDev1">{{cite news
 |url          = http://codesion.com/success-stories/gdev.html
 |title        = gDev
 |publisher    = codesion.com
 |quote        = Outsourcing
 |access-date  = 2010-07-15
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100919225401/http://codesion.com/success-stories/gdev.html
 |archive-date = 2010-09-19
 |url-status     = dead
}}</ref><ref name="gDev2">{{cite news|
url=http://www.gdev.com/|
title=gDev|
publisher=www.gdev.com/|
quote=Outsourcing 2.0
}}</ref><ref name="gDev3">{{cite news|
url=http://www.odesk.com/companies/GDev-LLC-gDev-Operations_~~cf9cec564a84f8f0|
title=gDev profile on oDesk|
publisher=www.odesk.com/|
quote=oDesk's Largest Provider of Job Openings
}}</ref>

== Acquisitions ==

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Versata Enterprises Acquisitions
! Date (YYYY-MM) !! Acquired company!! Notable products !! Current ESW business unit
|-
| 2006-01 || Versata || Versata Logic Suite || IgniteTech since 2016 (developed into Versata Business Rules Management System (BRMS))
|-
| 2006-03 || Trilogy<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Trilogy Exits Enterprise Software Business to Focus Exclusively on Internet Value Services and 'Guaranteed Business Value' |url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/trilogy-exits-enterprise-software-business-focus/docview/451213137/se-2 |url-access=subscription |date=March 7, 2006}}</ref> || SalesBUILDER || IgniteTech since 2016
|-
| 2006-07 || Artemis International Solutions<ref>{{cite book |title=Hoover's Guide to the Top Texas Companies 2009 |date=2008 |publisher=Hoover |location=Austin, Texas |isbn=978-1-57311-131-7 |page=37 |url=https://archive.org/details/hooversguidetoto0000unse_h7r6/ |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref> || [[Artemis (software)]] || Aurea Software (rebranded Aurea Planning Solutions); Artemis Finland is under IgniteTech since 2019
|-
| 2007-08 || Gensym<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Gensym Announces Agreement to be Acquired by Privately Held Versata |url=http://www.gensym.com/?p=news_release&id=104 |url-status=dead |date=August 13, 2007 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20080207052655/http://www.gensym.com/?p=news_release&id=104 |archive-date=February 7, 2008}}</ref> || G2 development platform || IgniteTech since 2015
|-
| 2007-09 || Nextance<ref>{{cite news |title=Versata Acquires Privately Held Nextance |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&refer=conews&tkr=VATA:US&sid=aeKXOpLO1fsI |url-status=dead |work=Bloomberg |date=September 18, 2007 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20121105070723/https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&refer=conews&tkr=VATA:US&sid=aeKXOpLO1fsI |archive-date=November 5, 2012}}</ref> || Contract Insight and Nextance Author contract management solutions; Nextance Intellectual Property Optimization Suite || Versata
|-
| 2008-02 || NUVO Network Management<ref>{{cite news |title=UPDATE: NUVO acquired for $17.65M
 |url=http://www.obj.ca/Other/Archives/2007-12-11/article-2254052/UPDATE:-NUVO-acquired-for-%2417.65M/1 |url-status=dead |work=Ottawa Business Journal |date=December 11, 2007 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160330133104/http://www.obj.ca/Other/Archives/2007-12-11/article-2254052/UPDATE%3A-NUVO-acquired-for-$17.65M/1 |archive-date=March 30, 2016}}</ref> || [[Network management]] services || 
|-
| 2008-03 || TenFold<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=TenFold Announces Agreement to be Acquired by Privately Held Versata |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1051118/000119312508063532/dex991.htm |date=March 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250416180925/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1051118/000119312508063532/dex991.htm |archive-date=April 16, 2025 }}</ref> || EnterpriseTenFold SOA, a [[service-oriented architecture]]-enabled development platform || IgniteTech
|-
| 2008-05 || Clear Technology<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Donnell |first1=Anthony |title=Versata Acquires Clear Technology |url=https://www.insurancetech.com/versata-acquires-clear-technology-/d/d-id/1310345.html |access-date=April 16, 2025 |work=InformationWeek |date=May 13, 2008 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231205091110/https://www.insurancetech.com/versata-acquires-clear-technology-/d/d-id/1310345.html |archive-date=December 5, 2023}}</ref> || ClearPATH and Tranzax insurance case-handling software || 
|-
| 2008-05 || Evolutionary Technologies International (ETI) || ETI•EXTRACT suite of data integration products<ref>{{cite news |title=Versata buys Evolutionary Technologies International |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2008/05/19/daily23.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 April 2025 |work=Austin Business Journal |date=May 21, 2008 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20110522024335/http://www.bizjournals.com:80/austin/stories/2008/05/19/daily23.html |archive-date=May 22, 2011}}</ref> || IgniteTech since 2015 (folded into Acorn)
|-
| 2008-09 || eCora Software<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Versata Enterprises Acquires Ecora Software, Inc. |url=http://www.ecora.com/ecora/pr/09-12-2008.asp |url-status=dead |date=September 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415213122/http://www.ecora.com/ecora/pr/09-12-2008.asp |archive-date=April 15, 2009 |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref> || eCora Auditor Professional and eCora Patch Manager || IgniteTech since 2019
|-
| 2009-02 || AlterPoint<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dubie |first1=Denise |title=Versata Enterprises acquires AlterPoint |url=http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/022509-versata-alterpoint.html |url-status=dead |work=Network World |date=February 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226232024/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/022509-versata-alterpoint.html |archive-date=February 26, 2009}}</ref> || NetworkAuthority network management software || IgniteTech since 2019
|-
| 2009-08 || Everest Software<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Versata Enterprises Acquires Everest Software |url=http://www.versata.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=249 |url-status=dead |date=August 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015120801/http://www.versata.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=249 |archive-date=October 15, 2010}}</ref> || Everest suite of e-commerce business management software || IgniteTech since 2019
|-
| 2010-01 || PurchasingNet<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Versata Enterprises Acquires PurchasingNet, Inc.
 |url=http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Versata-Enterprises-Acquires-PurchasingNet-Inc-1102158.htm |url-status=dead |date=January 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123151719/http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Versata-Enterprises-Acquires-PurchasingNet-Inc-1102158.htm |archive-date=January 23, 2010}}</ref> || eProcurement and ePayables || IgniteTech since 2019
|-
| 2010-07 || TriActive<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=TriActive® is Acquired by Versata Enterprises |url=http://www.systemsmanagementondemand.com/static/183 |url-status=dead |date=July 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305205422/http://www.systemsmanagementondemand.com/static/183 |archive-date=March 5, 2012}}</ref> || Systems Management On Demand suites of [[systems management]] software || IgniteTech since 2019
|-
| 2010-09 || Metatomix<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Versata Enterprises Acquires Metatomix, Inc.
 |url=http://www.metatomix.com/newsevents/releases/100902.php |url-status=dead |date=September 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104000654/http://www.metatomix.com/newsevents/releases/100902.php |archive-date=November 4, 2010}}</ref> || Metatomix [[data integration]] platform || Versata
|-
| 2010-09<sup>a</sup> || Corizon<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Versata Enterprises Acquires Corizon |url=http://www.corizon.com/News/versata-enterprises-acquires-corizon-2.html |url-status=dead |date=September 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708193342/http://www.corizon.com/News/versata-enterprises-acquires-corizon-2.html |archive-date=July 8, 2011}}</ref> || Enterprise Mashup Platform || IgniteTech
|-
| 2010-10 || Think3<ref>{{cite news |title=Think3 Inc. Acquired by Versata Enterprises |url=https://www.digitalengineering247.com/article/think3-inc-acquired-by-versata-enterprises |access-date=April 17, 2025 |work=Digital Engineering |date=October 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417205110/https://www.digitalengineering247.com/article/think3-inc-acquired-by-versata-enterprises |archive-date=April 17, 2025}}</ref> || thinkdesign, thinkiD, and thinkteam [[Computer-aided design|CAD]] and [[Product lifecycle|PLM]] software || IgniteTech, as their Mergers & Acquisitions division
|-
| 2010-10<sup>b</sup> || Infopia<ref>{{Cite report |title=Comprehensive Industry Overview: Billion Dollar Babies: Trends and Opportunities in the New E-Commerce World |author=Gridley & Company |date=April 2011 |publisher=Gridley & Company |url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/22085148/billion-dollar-babies-trends-and-opportunities-gridley-company |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417041341/https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/22085148/billion-dollar-babies-trends-and-opportunities-gridley-company |archive-date=17 April 2025 |access-date=13 April 2025 |page=72}}</ref> || Infopia Transact [[e-commerce]] storefront software || Versata
|-
| 2010-11 || Auto-Trol Technology<ref>{{cite web |title=Auto-Trol Technology |url=https://www.cbinsights.com/company/auto-trol-technology/financials |website=CB Insights |access-date=17 April 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20221007085425/https://www.cbinsights.com/company/auto-trol-technology/financials |archive-date=October 7, 2022}}</ref> || KONFIG, Tech Illustrator || IgniteTech since 2019
|-
| 2010-12 || Right90<ref>{{cite web |title=M&A Deal Summary: Versata Enterprises Acquires Right90 |url=https://mergr.com/transaction/versata-enterprises-acquires-right90 |website=Mergr |access-date=17 April 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250417193549/https://mergr.com/transaction/versata-enterprises-acquires-right90 |archive-date=April 17, 2025}}</ref> || Right90 sales forecasting software || IgniteTech since 2019
|-
| 2011-02 || geoVue<ref>{{cite news |title=Versata Enterprises acquires Boston firm |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/02/24/versata-enterprises-acquires-boston-firm.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 17, 2025 |work=Austin Business Journal |date=February 24, 2011 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20110522025900/https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/02/24/versata-enterprises-acquires-boston-firm.html |archive-date=May 22, 2011}}</ref> || geoVue real estate analytics software || Versata
|-
| 2011-03 || Ravenflow<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoge |first1=Patrick |title=Emeryville's Ravenflow acquired by Versata |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2011/03/21/ravenflow-acquired-by-versata.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 17, 2025 |work=San Francisco Business Times |date=March 21, 2011 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20110401145503/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2011/03/21/ravenflow-acquired-by-versata.html |archive-date=April 1, 2011}}</ref> || RAVEN for visualizations of [[software requirements]] || Versata
|-
| 2011-09 || Agentek<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=DC Advisory advised Agentek on its sale to Versata |url=https://www.dcadvisory.com/news-deals-insights/deal-announcements/dc-advisory-advised-agentek-on-its-sale-to-versata/ |date=September 29, 2011 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241107092829/https://www.dcadvisory.com/news-deals-insights/deal-announcements/dc-advisory-advised-agentek-on-its-sale-to-versata/ |archive-date=November 7, 2024}}</ref> || Agentek Mobile Field Services, Mobile Fleet, and Workforce Optimization software || Versata
|-
| 2012-05 || Prologic<ref>{{cite news |title=Reading: Prologic acquisition advised by Pitmans |url=https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/reading-prologic-acquisition-advised-by-pitmans/ |access-date=April 17, 2025 |work=The Business Magazine |date=May 14, 2012 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250417194840/https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/reading-prologic-acquisition-advised-by-pitmans/ |archive-date=April 17, 2025}}</ref> || Retail [[point of sale]] software || IgniteTech since 2019
|-
| 2013-06 || Ignite Technologies<ref>{{cite web |title=M&A Deal Summary: Versata Enterprises Acquires Ignite Technologies |url=https://mergr.com/transaction/versata-enterprises-acquires-ignite-technologies |website=Mergr |access-date=16 April 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250416222212/https://mergr.com/transaction/versata-enterprises-acquires-ignite-technologies |archive-date=April 16, 2025}}</ref> || IgniteLIVE, Media Portal, and Ignite CDS for digital media publishing and delivery || IgniteTech
|-
| 2013-09 || Latis Networks dba StillSecure<ref>{{cite news |last1=Orans |first1=Lawrence |title=Magic Quadrant for Network Access Control |url=http://emailing.aquastar-consulting.com/2013/Infra/Newsletters/2014/Janvier/Magic-Quadrant-for-Network-Access-Control.pdf |access-date=April 16, 2025 |work=Gartner |date=December 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319031441/http://emailing.aquastar-consulting.com/2013/Infra/Newsletters/2014/Janvier/Magic-Quadrant-for-Network-Access-Control.pdf |archive-date=March 19, 2025}}</ref> || Safe Access [[network access control]] appliance || Versata
|-
| 2015-04 || MessageOne from [[Dell]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Versata, Inc. acquired MessageOne, Inc. from Dell Technologies Inc. |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/DELL-TECHNOLOGIES-INC-50061235/news/Versata-Inc-acquired-MessageOne-Inc-from-Dell-Technologies-Inc-38414337/ |access-date=April 17, 2025 |work=S&P Capital IQ |date=April 14, 2015 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250417184941/https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/DELL-TECHNOLOGIES-INC-50061235/news/Versata-Inc-acquired-MessageOne-Inc-from-Dell-Technologies-Inc-38414337/ |archive-date=April 17, 2025}}</ref> || MessageOne and AlertFind notification services || Aurea Software since 2017
|-
| 2015-10 || Quantum Retail Technology<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Quantum Retail Acquired by Versata |url=http://quantumretail.com/blog/quantum-retail-acquired-by-versata/ |date=October 2, 2015 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250113160435/http://quantumretail.com/blog/quantum-retail-acquired-by-versata/ |archive-date=January 13, 2025}}</ref> || Q [[supply chain management|supply chain and inventory]] software || Versata
|-
| 2015-12 || Compressus<ref>{{cite news |title=Versata Enterprises Acquires Compressus |url=https://www.finsmes.com/2015/12/versata-enterprises-acquires-compressus.html |access-date=April 16, 2025 |work=FinSMEs |date=December 28, 2015 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230313085140/https://www.finsmes.com/2015/12/versata-enterprises-acquires-compressus.html |archive-date=March 13, 2023}}</ref> || Compressus MEDxConnect patient data software || Versata
|-
| 2016-03 || EPM Live from Upland Software<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Versata Acquires EPM Live From Upload Software |url=http://epmlive.com/news/versata-acquires-epm-live-from-upland-software |url-status=dead |date=March 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416154328/http://epmlive.com/news/versata-acquires-epm-live-from-upland-software |archive-date=April 16, 2016 |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref> || EPM Live || IgniteTech since 2019
|-
| 2016-05 || @Hand<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=ESW Capital Acquires @hand Corporation |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/esw_capital_acquires_hand_corporation/prweb13377035.htm |date=May 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417210256/https://www.prweb.com/releases/esw_capital_acquires_hand_corporation/prweb13377035.htm |archive-date=April 17, 2025}}</ref> || @hand software for developing mobile apps || IgniteTech since 2021 (folded into OneSCM)
|-
| 2018-05<sup>c</sup> || Symphony Commerce<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Quantum Retail Technology, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Symphony Commerce |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quantum-retail-technology-inc-announces-acquisition-of-symphony-commerce-300650817.html |date=May 17, 2018 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241205132011/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quantum-retail-technology-inc-announces-acquisition-of-symphony-commerce-300650817.html |archive-date=December 5, 2024}}</ref> || [[e-commerce|Commerce-as-a-service]] provider || Versata
|}
<small><sup>a</sup> Corizon was acquired by Metatomix, while Metatomix was part of Versata.</small>

<small><sup>b</sup> Infopia was acquired by Everest Software, while Everest Software was part of Versata.</small>

<small><sup>c</sup> Symphony Commerce was acquired by Quantum Retail, while Quantum Retail was part of Versata.</small>

== Legal disputes ==

=== Patent infringement and "poison pill" lawsuits with Selectica ===

The legal disputes with Selectica began in 2004 (before Trilogy acquired Versata in January 2006) and lasted until 2010. While there were many suits and counter-suits, they largely centered around three issues:

* 2004–2006: Patent infringement in [[configure, price and quote|configure, price, and quote (CPQ)]] software

* 2005–2007: Patent infringement in [[contract lifecycle management|contract lifecycle management (CLM)]] software

* 2008–2010: The [[shareholder rights plan|"poison pill"]] lawsuit

In 2004, Selectica and Trilogy had competing CPQ software: Selectica sold Solutions Advisor and Deal Optimization, while Trilogy sold Selling Chain. In April of that year, Trilogy Software sued Selectica for patent infringement. In 2005, before the court ruling, Trilogy made several offers to buy Selectica, but the board rejected them.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tech shareholder activism on the rise |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/tech-shareholder-activism-on-the-rise/ |access-date=20 April 2025 |work=CNET |date=September 14, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821122137/https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/tech-shareholder-activism-on-the-rise/ |archive-date=August 21, 2024}}</ref> In January 2006, the court ordered Selectica to pay Trilogy $7.5 million in damages.<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Trilogy Software, Inc. v. Selectica, Inc. |litigants-force-plain=yes |court=United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas |date=2006-01-20 |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4690638/trilogy-software-inc-v-selectica-inc/}},</ref><ref name=Varallo>{{cite news |last1=Varallo |first1=Gregory |last2=Werrett |first2=Jacob |title=Delaware Supreme Court Sanctions Use of 4.99 Percent NOL Poison Pill Using ‘Unocal’ Analysis, as Modified by ‘Unitrin’ |url=https://www.rlf.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Unocal_101310.pdf |access-date=20 April 2025 |work=Bureau of National Affairs |date=October 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703194554/https://www.rlf.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Unocal_101310.pdf |archive-date=July 3, 2024}}</ref>

Four days after the January 2006 judgment in the first lawsuit, Trilogy announced its acquisition of Versata for an undisclosed amount.<ref name=TrilogyAcquires />

In 2005, Selectica had acquired the Determine CLM software platform, which included features that overlapped with some offered by Versata. In October 2006, Versata filed a second patent infringement lawsuit. The case was settled in 2007, with Selectica agreeing to pay Trilogy and Versata $10 million, plus up to $7.5 million in additional contingent payments.<ref name=Varallo />

In 2008, Versata began acquiring Selectica stock. By December, Selectica's board amended its [[shareholder rights plan]] to adopt a "poison pill" with an unusually low trigger threshold: if any shareholder acquired more than 4.99% of company stock, their ownership would be diluted. The board explained that the move was meant to protect Selectica’s [[net operating loss|net operating losses (NOLs)]], which were tax-deductible if the company returned to profitability. Under [[Internal Revenue Code section 382|IRS Section 382]], a significant change in stock ownership could cause those NOLs to be disqualified.<ref name=Varallo /><ref name=Webber>{{cite journal |last1=Webber |first1=Sarah J. |last2=Davis-Nozemack |first2=Karie |title=NOL Poison Pills: Using Corporate Law for Tax Purposes |journal=Journal of Taxation |date=March 22, 2016 |volume=117 |pages=1–12 |url=https://ecommons.udayton.edu/acc_fac_pub/57 |access-date=20 April 2025 |issn=0022-4863}}</ref>

Versata intentionally triggered the poison pill and also offered to sell back the stocks at a profit ([[greenmail|greenmailing]] them),<ref name=Webber /> which prompted a legal dispute over whether Selectica’s board had the authority to set such a low threshold and whether defending NOLs justified triggering shareholder dilution. The case ultimately reached the [[Delaware Supreme Court]], which upheld the poison pill in October 2010, ruling in favor of Selectica.<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Selectica, Inc. v. Versata Enterprises, Inc. |litigants-force-plain=yes |vol=5 |reporter=A.3d |opinion=586 |court=Supreme Court of Delaware |date=2010-10-04 |url=https://courts.delaware.gov/supreme/oralarguments/download.aspx?id=5002}}</ref><ref name=Varallo /><ref name=Webber />

=== Intellectual property lawsuit over joint development with Sun Microsystems ===

In 1998, [[Sun Microsystems]] hired Trilogy to help Sun's developers in California create a software configurator (later named the WC5 Configurator) that Sun's customers could use to modify products they wanted to buy, customizing products to have the features they wanted. Trilogy worked on the WC5 Configurator for several years, then Sun transferred the work to Oracle to finish. Trilogy believed that they owned the copyright to the work they'd done for Sun, and in 2006 after the merger with Versata they sued Sun<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Software, Inc. v. Sun Microsystems, Inc. |court=U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas |vol=Case No. 2:06-cv-00358 |date=September 11, 2006 |url=https://insight.rpxcorp.com/litigation/txedce-98665-versata-software-v-sun-microsystems}}</ref> for more than $100 million in damages. In April 2009, a jury ruled in favor of Sun and rejected Versata's claims.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Preimesberger |first1=Chris |title=Sun Successfully Defends Itself Against $100M Patent Suit |url=https://www.eweek.com/development/sun-successfully-defends-itself-against-100m-patent-suit/ |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=eWeek |date=April 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250421150549/https://www.eweek.com/development/sun-successfully-defends-itself-against-100m-patent-suit/ |archive-date=April 21, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Longstreth |first1=Andrew |title=Sun Microsystems Wins Patent Defense Verdict in Eastern District of Texas |url=https://www.law.com/almID/1202430315624/ |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=ALM |date=April 30, 2009 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250421153749/https://www.law.com/almID/1202430315624/ |archive-date=April 21, 2025}}</ref>

=== Patent lawsuit and ruling on patents of abstract ideas with SAP ===

{{Main|Versata Development Group, Inc. v. SAP America, Inc.}}

SAP developed Pricing Engine, a component in their [[enterprise resource planning|enterprise resource planning (ERP)]] system. It competed with an older Trilogy product called Pricer, which was part of Trilogy's Selling Chain platform in the mid-1990s before they merged with Versata. 

In April 2007—the year after Trilogy acquired Versata—Versata filed a lawsuit against [[SAP]] for patent infringement. In August 2009, the jury agreed with Versata and awarded them $139 million. The court granted a new trial on damages<ref>{{cite news |last1=McQuillen |first1=William |last2=Decker |first2=Susan |title=SAP Wins New Trial on $139 Million Versata Award |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-01-06/sap-wins-new-trial-on-139-million-versata-award-update1- |access-date=20 April 2025 |work=Bloomberg |date=January 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240509142114/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-01-06/sap-wins-new-trial-on-139-million-versata-award-update1- |archive-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref> and in September 2011, in the retrial, the jury awarded Versata $345 million.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McQuillen |first1=William |last2=Robertson |first2=Dennis |title=SAP Told to Pay $345 Million for Infringing Versata Patent |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-05-13/sap-told-to-pay-345-million-for-infringing-versata-patent-2- |access-date=20 April 2025 |work=Bloomberg |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240509142054/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-05-13/sap-told-to-pay-345-million-for-infringing-versata-patent-2- |archive-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref>

This then went to the US Court of Appeals, which in May 2013 affirmed the $345 million damages award, plus interest that had accumulated.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Decker |first1=Susan |title=SAP Wins Ruling on Versata Patent in $345 Million Case |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-06-12/sap-wins-ruling-on-versata-patent-in-345-million-case |access-date=20 April 2025 |work=Bloomberg |date=June 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240509142039/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-06-12/sap-wins-ruling-on-versata-patent-in-345-million-case |archive-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref> In October 2014, Versata and SAP settled their litigation for an undisclosed amount of money.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kanaracus |first1=Chris |title=SAP, Versata settle $391 million patent litigation |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/435716/sap-versata-settle-391-million-patent-litigation.html |access-date=20 April 2025 |work=PCWorld |date=October 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110033346/https://www.pcworld.com/article/435716/sap-versata-settle-391-million-patent-litigation.html |archive-date=November 10, 2023}}</ref>

With the dispute between Versata and SAP settled, in June 2013 the [[Patent Trial and Appeal Board|Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)]] reviewed the validity of the patent itself, and issued a decision in a [[covered business method patent|Covered Business Method (CBM)]] review, stating that the disputed items were abstract ideas and thus under [[Title 35 of the United States Code#Section 101 - Inventions patentable|the US patent law]] not patentable. 

In July 2015, the Federal Circuit agreed with PTAB's decision that the challenged items were not patentable.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Andrew |title=U.S. court invalidates Versata patent in $391 million case |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/technology/us-court-invalidates-versata-patent-in-391-million-case-idUSKCN0PJ2LS/ |access-date=20 April 2025 |work=Reuters |date=July 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250420215522/https://www.reuters.com/article/technology/us-court-invalidates-versata-patent-in-391-million-case-idUSKCN0PJ2LS/ |archive-date=April 20, 2025}}</ref>

=== Trade secrets and damages dispute with Internet Brands ===

[[Internet Brands]] was formerly known as [[CarsDirect]] and AutoData Solutions. Like Trilogy, they made software for automakers that helped customers compare vehicles online. In the late 1990s, Trilogy and Internet Brands tried to combine their products but failed to do so, and after a December 1999 lawsuit they made a settlement agreement in May 2001.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barron |first1=Bonnie |title=Versata Can’t Shake Software Counterclaims |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/versata-cant-shake-software-counterclaims/ |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=Courthouse News Service |date=February 27, 2012 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240715052812/https://www.courthousenews.com/versata-cant-shake-software-counterclaims/ |archive-date=July 15, 2024}}</ref>

In 2008, Versata sued Internet Brands claiming they had violated the settlement agreement by making presentations to potential clients stating they had a license from  Versata to use and sell Versata technical solutions; and doing so had cost Versata business with [[Chrysler]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tennissen |first1=Marilyn |title=Recent patent infringement cases filed in U.S. District Courts |url=https://setexasrecord.com/stories/510609789-newsinator-recent-patent-infringement-cases-filed-in-u-s-district-courts |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=Southeast Texas Record |date=August 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250421171713/https://setexasrecord.com/stories/510609789-newsinator-recent-patent-infringement-cases-filed-in-u-s-district-courts |archive-date=April 21, 2025}}</ref> 

Internet Brands' countersuit argued that Versata had misappropriated trade secrets and asked the jury to use Versata’s business relationship with [[Toyota]]—including revenue from Toyota contracts—as a benchmark to calculate damages. The jury agreed and used that data to determine a $2 million damages award in favor of Internet Brands’ subsidiary, AutoData Solutions.<ref>{{cite court | litigants=Versata Software, Inc. v. Internet Brands, Inc. f/k/a CarsDirect.com, et al. |court=United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas | date=August 1, 2014 |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4384970/idb/versata-software-inc-v-internet-brands-inc-fka-carsdirectcom/ | access-date=2025-04-21 |quote=Case No. 2:08-cv-00313}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Does apportionment rule extend to trade secrets cases? |url=https://sub.bvresources.com/images/email/IPValueWire2-28-13.html |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=IP Value Wire |date=February 28, 2013 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250421172550/https://sub.bvresources.com/images/email/IPValueWire2-28-13.html |archive-date=April 21, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Barron |first1=Bonnie |title=Court Affirms Judgment Against Versata Software |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/court-affirms-judgment-against-versata-software/ |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=Courthouse News Service |date=August 2, 2012 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250421172849/https://www.courthousenews.com/court-affirms-judgment-against-versata-software/ |archive-date=April 21, 2025}}</ref>

Versata appealed the decision, and in January 2014 the court upheld the $2 million award to Internet Brands.<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Software, Inc. v. Internet Brands, Inc. |court=United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit |date=January 17, 2014 |reporter=550 F. App'x 897 | url=https://casetext.com/case/versata-software-inc-v-internet-brands-inc-2 |access-date=2025-04-21}}</ref>

=== Patent challenges and litigation following the AIA in 2012–2013 ===

In 2012 and 2013, Versata filed at least seven patent infringement lawsuits against companies over patents originating from Trilogy's Selling Chain software suite. While these lawsuits were ongoing, three major legal developments influenced their outcomes:

* '''September 2012:''' Provisions of the [[Leahy-Smith America Invents Act|America Invents Act (AIA)]] went into effect, including the introduction of [[post-grant review]] (PGR) and [[covered business method patent|covered business method (CBM)]] review. These procedures allowed defendants to challenge patents at the [[Patent Trial and Appeal Board|Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)]] before trial, making it easier to invalidate certain types of patents, particularly in the software and business method domains.

* '''September 2012–June 2013:''' The PTAB conducted a CBM review of Versata’s U.S. Patent No. 6,553,350 ('350), which was at issue in its earlier lawsuit against SAP. The PTAB ruled that the patent was unpatentable as an abstract idea.

* '''March–June 2014:''' The [[United States Supreme Court]] decided ''[[Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International]],'' establishing a two-step test for determining whether a patent claim is directed to patent-eligible subject matter under [[Title 35 of the United States Code#Section 101 - Inventions patentable|35 U.S.C. § 101]].

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Versata Patent Infringement Lawsuits (2012–2013)
! Company !! Date Filed – Closed !! 7,904,326<br>('326) !! 7,908,304<br>('304) !! 7,958,024<br>('024) !! 6,834,282<br>('282) !! 6,907,414<br>('414) !! 7,082,454<br>('454) !! 7,426,481<br>('481) !! 7,363,593<br>('593) !! 7,092,740<br>('740)
|-
| Callidus Software<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Software, Inc. v. Callidus Software, Inc. |court=D. Del. |date=2013 |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/8725194/versata-software-inc-v-callidus-software-inc/?q=Versata+Software%2C+Inc.+v.+Callidus+Software |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Software, Inc. v. Callidus Software, Inc. |court=D. Del |date=2014 |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/7308339/versata-software-inc-v-callidus-software-inc/?q=Versata+Software%2C+Inc.+v.+Callidus+Software |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Software, Inc. v. Callidus Software, Inc. |court=Fed. Cir. |date=2014 |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2753623/versata-software-inc-v-callidus-software-inc/?q=Versata+Software%2C+Inc.+v.+Callidus+Software |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Software, Inc. v. Callidus Software, Inc. |court=Fed. Cir. |date=2015 |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/3066263/versata-software-inc-v-callidus-software-inc/?q=Versata+Software%2C+Inc.+v.+Callidus+Software |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref> || 2012-07 – 2014-11 || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || || || || || || 
|-
| Volusion<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Software Inc. v. Volusion Inc. |court=W.D. Tex. |date=2012 |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/53413709/versata-software-inc-v-volusion-inc/ |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref> || 2012-09 – 2014-06 || || || || ✓ || || || ✓ || || 
|-
| Planisware USA<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Development Group Inc. v. Planisware USA Inc. |court=W.D. Tex. |date=2013 |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4311054/versata-software-inc-v-planisware-usa-inc/ |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref> || 2013-01 – 2014-01 || || || || ✓ || ✓ || || || || 
|-
| NetBrain Technologies<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Software Inc. v. NetBrain Technologies Inc. |court=D. Del. |date=2013 |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4220116/versata-software-inc-v-netbrain-technologies-inc/ |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref> || 2013-04 – 2015-10 || || || || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || || || 
|-
| Infoblox<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Software Inc. et al v. Infoblox Inc. |court=D. Del. |date=2013 |url=https://dockets.justia.com/docket/delaware/dedce/1:2013cv00678/51725 |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref> || 2013-04 – 2015-10 || || || || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || 
|-
| Zoho<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Software, Inc. et al v. Zoho Corporation |court=W.D. Tex. |date=2013 |url=https://dockets.justia.com/docket/texas/txwdce/1:2013cv00371/626231 |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref> || 2013-05 – 2016-10 || || || || || || || || || ✓
|-
| Dorado Software<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Software, Inc. et al v. Dorado Software, Inc. |court=E.D. Cal. |date=2013 |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5945136/versata-software-inc-v-dorado-software-inc/ |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref> || 2013-05 – 2015-09 || || || || ✓ || ✓ || || || || 
|}

In the ''Callidus'' case, Versata sued Callidus and Callidus countersued asserting their own patents against Versata. The countersuit initiated a CBM review at the PTAB for the Versata patents. Ultimately the dispute was settled with both parties signing a Reseller Agreement. 

The ''Volusion'' and ''Planisware'' cases were dismissed following the PTAB’s 2013 invalidation of the ’350 patent. No public settlements or judgments were reported.

In the ''NetBrain Technologies'' and ''Infoblox'' cases, the court adopted a magistrate judge's recommendation to dismiss the claims with prejudice. The judge concluded that the patents asserted were directed to abstract ideas and thus unpatentable under the framework later formalized in ''Alice.''

In ''Zoho'', the defendant first argued that the asserted patent ('740) was an abstract idea under the ''Alice'' framework. The court disagreed, allowing the case to proceed. Zoho then filed a separate motion claiming the patent was invalid due to indefiniteness under 35 U.S.C. § 112, arguing that the term “space-constrained display” lacked clear meaning. The court granted this motion and ruled the patent invalid. The case was dismissed, and Versata was ordered to pay Zoho’s costs.

The ''Dorado Software'' case was stayed while the Supreme Court considered ''Alice.'' After the ruling, the parties stipulated to dismiss the claims without prejudice, meaning Versata could potentially refile the case.

=== International insolvency and IP rights with Think3 ===

In September 2010, ESW Capital acquired Think3, an American company with subsidiaries in other countries: an Italian location mostly to negotiate with creditors and collect local revenue; a Japanese location that was considered an asset in the acquisition; an Indian location with software developers who reported they held some IP rights shared with the company. The company had $23 million in debt, about 70% of which was an Italian tax liability.<ref name=Think3CourtSept2011>{{cite court |litigants=In re think3 Inc., No. 11-11925-hcm (Bankr. W.D. Tex. Sept. 12, 2011) |url=https://www2.txwb.uscourts.gov/opinions/opdf/11-11925-hcm_think3%20Inc._2011-09-12_230000.pdf |access-date=2025-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Think3 Inc. Files For Chapter 11 |url=https://www.chapter11blog.com/chapter11/2011/05/think3-inc-files-for-chapter-11.html |url-status=dead |work=Chapter 11 Library |date=May 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809143353/https://www.chapter11blog.com/chapter11/2011/05/think3-inc-files-for-chapter-11.html |archive-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref><ref name=Wong>{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Kenneth |title=Think3: Where Does It Go From Here? |url=https://www.digitalengineering247.com/article/think3-where-does-it-go-from-here |access-date=26 April 2025 |work=Digital Engineering |date=May 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426113223/https://www.digitalengineering247.com/article/think3-where-does-it-go-from-here |archive-date=April 26, 2025}}</ref> This became a set of lawsuits centered around [[cross-border insolvency]].

The next month, Versata FZ-LLC (ESW Capital's business unit related to Versata in the US, but organized in a [[List of free-trade zones in Dubai|Dubai free-trade zone]]) entered into a licensing agreement with Think3, giving Versata FZ-LLC the rights to the [[intellectual property|intellectual property (IP)]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Kenneth |title=think3: One Brand, Two Sites? |url=https://www.digitalengineering247.com/article/think3-one-brand-two-sites/ |access-date=26 April 2025 |work=Digital Engineering |date=June 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426120408/https://www.digitalengineering247.com/article/think3-one-brand-two-sites/ |archive-date=April 26, 2025}}</ref>

In March 2011, several creditors began insolvency proceedings against Think3 and its Italian subsidiary and the next month they were declared bankrupt in an Italian court and the court appointed a trustee to look after the interest of Italian creditors.<ref name=Wong /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rowe |first1=Jeff |title=Another One Bites the Dust: think3 Declares Bankruptcy |url=https://www10.mcadcafe.com/nbc/articles/2/951922/Another-One-Bites-Dust-think3-Declares-Bankruptcy |url-status=dead |access-date=27 April 2025 |work=Internet Business Systems: MCAD Cafe |date=May 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629103659/https://www10.mcadcafe.com/nbc/articles/2/951922/Another-One-Bites-Dust-think3-Declares-Bankruptcy |archive-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref> The trustee terminated the license agreement with Versata FZ-LLC and claimed that the Italian subsidiary still owned the IP. Versata maintained that they bought the IP when the bought Think3, Inc., the US parent company.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kurland |first1=Ray |title=The think3 story keeps evolving –badly |url=https://raykurland.com/2011/05/08/the-think3-story-keeps-evolving-badly/ |access-date=27 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513202641/https://raykurland.com/2011/05/08/the-think3-story-keeps-evolving-badly/ |archive-date=May 13, 2011}}</ref> 

In May 2011, the US Think3 filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] in an American court. The debt continued to balloon, the assets were worth less than $10 million, and Think3 had no US employees.<ref>{{cite news |title=Austin-based think3 files for bankruptcy |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/05/26/austin-based-think3-files-for-bankruptcy.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 April 2025 |work=Austin Business Journal |date=May 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110601230258/https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/05/26/austin-based-think3-files-for-bankruptcy.html |archive-date=June 1, 2011}}</ref> The Italian court ordered Versata-FZ-LLC to stop using the Think3 trademark.<ref>{{cite web |title=Italian Court Directs Versata To Stop Using The Think3 Trademark |url=https://deelip.com/italian-court-directs-versata-to-stop-using-the-think3-trademark/ |access-date=27 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212213423/https://deelip.com/italian-court-directs-versata-to-stop-using-the-think3-trademark/ |archive-date=February 12, 2025}}</ref> The US bankruptcy court ruled that US law applied.<ref>{{cite conference |last1=Beckham |first=Charles |last2=Wyrick |first2=Martha |date=August 23, 2019 |title=Won't You Be My Neighbor? Cross border insolvency issues with Mexico |url=https://www.americancollegeofbankruptcy.com/file.cfm/29/docs/Cross%20Border%20Insolvency%20Issues%20with%20Mexico.pdf |conference=The Next Chapter in Bankruptcy & Insolvency Conference |location=Santa Fe, New Mexico |publisher=10th Circuit Chapter of the American College of Bankruptcy |access-date=April 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427192139/https://www.americancollegeofbankruptcy.com/file.cfm/29/docs/Cross%20Border%20Insolvency%20Issues%20with%20Mexico.pdf |archive-date=April 27, 2025}}</ref>

The people at the Italian subsidiary formed DPTLab S.R.L. and make a software named ThinkDesign.<ref>{{cite web |title=DPTLAB S.R.L. |url=https://www.pappers.fr/entreprise/dptlab-sr-l-538424631 |website=Pappers Enterprises |access-date=27 April 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250427194848/https://www.pappers.fr/entreprise/dptlab-sr-l-538424631 |archive-date=April 27, 2025 |language=French}}</ref> Versata uses the Think3 name for their Mergers & Acquisitions division, and continue the software rebranded as SmartForm Design's SmartForm Engineering MCAD and SmartForm PLM.<ref>{{cite web |title=SmartForm Design: About Us |url=http://www.smartformdesign.com/about-us |url-status=dead|website=SmartForm |access-date=27 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828083802/http://www.smartformdesign.com/about-us |archive-date=August 28, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Think3 Italy Releases ThinkDesign 2011.1 |url=https://deelip.com/think3-releases-thinkdesign-2011-1/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122072843/https://deelip.com/think3-releases-thinkdesign-2011-1/ |archive-date=January 22, 2025}}</ref>

=== Trade secrets case with Ford ===

Like the legal disputes with Selectica and SAP, Versata's dispute with [[Ford Motor Company]] was rooted in the software Trilogy created before it acquired Versata. In 1998, Ford licensed Trilogy's Automotive Configuration Manager (ACM) to manage configuring vehicle models, signing and renewing a legal contract outlining the terms of the subscription multiple times from 2004 through 2014. Ford created a proprietary software to do the same thing, called Product Definition Optimization (PDO) and in 2014 they discontinued their subscription for ACM to use their own PDO. Versata believed that Ford's PDO used elements of the ACM software and in February 2015 they sued Ford for trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, and patent infringement.<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Software, Inc. v. Ford Motor Company |vol=2 |reporter=15-cv-10628 |court=United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan |date=February 19, 2015 |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4513479/versata-software-inc-v-ford-motor-company |access-date=April 21, 2025}}</ref> Versata asked for $1.4 billion in damages.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Long |first1=Butzel |title=Legal People |url=https://legalnews.com/Home/Articles?DataId=1561183 |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=LegalNews |date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421124211/https://legalnews.com/Home/Articles?DataId=1561183 |archive-date=April 21, 2025}}</ref>

In October 2022, a jury agreed with Versata and awarded them $105 million in damages.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lessons Learned From 2022’s Trade Secret Verdicts |url=https://www.proskauer.com/blog/lessons-learned-from-2022s-trade-secret-verdicts |website=Proskauer |access-date=21 April 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250125202317/https://www.proskauer.com/blog/lessons-learned-from-2022s-trade-secret-verdicts |archive-date=January 25, 2025}}</ref> In May 2023, a judge reviewed the case and made a [[judgment as a matter of law|judgment as a matter of law (JMOL)]] ruling. That is, the judge decided that no reasonable jury would reach the verdict they did based on the evidence presented during the trial, and so he threw out the jury's verdict in favor of Ford. He reduced the award to just $3.<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Versata Software, Inc. v. Ford Motor Company |vol=2 |reporter=15-cv-10628 |opinion=1054 |court=United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan |date=May 1, 2023 |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/michigan/miedce/2:2015cv10628/298919/1054/ |access-date=April 21, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cook |first1=Jason |last2=Hockman |first2=Corinne |last3=Indest |first3=Miles |last4=Madriz |first4=Yasser |title=Ford Finds Key to Reversing $105 Million Award in Trade Secret Case |url=https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/ford-finds-key-to-reversing-105-million-5091557/ |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=JD Supra |date=June 7, 2023 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230613201902/https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/ford-finds-key-to-reversing-105-million-5091557/ |archive-date=June 13, 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Software companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Rule engines]]