Vondran Legal® Software Audit and Compliance Law Firm. Call us if you receive a audit notice from MathWorks or its representatives. (877) 276-5084.
Introduction
Getting the "love letter" (as we affectionately call it) from one of your software vendors is never a fun thing. Maybe you did something run. Maybe you have unlicensed software. Perhaps you over-assigned licenses in violation of the end-user license agreement ("EULA)". Whatever the case, you will likely need to submit to an audit to analyze your licensing entitlement position, and true-up your software count, and typically pay infringement, or cost-recovery fees that can vary widely depending on the nature and extent of the unlicensed software in your environment. Vondran Legal® understands your issues, and their concerns. We work with a large number of software publishers from around the United States, and help companies both large and small navigate the software compliance and settlement process. This blog discusses MathWorks software, who I believe may be upping the ante in enforcing the terms of its licensing and protecting their intellectual property.
Who is Mathworks
According to their LinkedIn profile:
"MathWorks develops MATLAB and Simulink— software that transforms the way engineers and scientists think and work. Engineers and scientists use MATLAB and Simulink to do amazing things like advancing medical research, building safer and more fuel-efficient cars, and even landing the Rover on Mars."
"MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software. Engineers and scientists worldwide rely on its products to accelerate the pace of discovery, innovation, and development. MATLAB, the language of technical computing, is a programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numeric computation. Simulink is a graphical environment for simulation and Model-Based Design for multidomain dynamic and embedded systems. MATLAB and Simulink are also fundamental teaching and research tools in the world's universities and learning institutions. Founded in 1984, MathWorks employs more than 6000 people in 16 countries, with headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, USA."
MathWork Products
Their website has a a piracy reporting link. Here, it lists all of their products. Here are some of the main products:
- MATLAB: A programming environment that allows users to develop algorithms, analyze data, and visualize results. MATLAB is an abbreviation for "MATrix LABoratory".
- Simulink: A graphical environment for simulating and modeling dynamic systems.
- Optimization Toolbox: A product that provides optimization parameters that can be used with various MATLAB functions.
- Global Optimization Toolbox: A product for math and optimization.
- Symbolic Math Toolbox: A product for math and optimization.
- Mapping Toolbox: A product for math and optimization.
- Partial Differential Equation Toolbox: A product for math and optimization.
- Statistics and Machine Learning Toolbox: An add-on toolbox for MATLAB.
- Curve Fitting Toolbox: An add-on toolbox for MATLAB.
- Control System Toolbox: An add-on toolbox for MATLAB.
- Signal Processing Toolbox: An add-on toolbox for MATLAB.
They have posted a new anti-piracy job position
I recently learned they posted a new anti-piracy job on LinkedIn. This leads me to believe they may be ramping up their software licensing compliance efforts. This is where Vondran Legal® comes in. We have handled an estimated 1,000 software licensing disputes with major software publishers such as:
- Microsoft
- Adobe
- Bentley Software
- Business Software Alliance ("BSA")
- Ansys
- Synopsis
- Software Compliance Group
- Siemens
- Hexagon/Vero
- Dassault/Solidworks
- CNC/Mastercam
- VB Conversion
- Autodesk
To our knowledge, there is no other technology and IP law firm in the United States with the substantial breadth of software audit experience as Vondran Legal®. We have also built strong working relationships with the IP firms that handle these disputes. In this niche area of copyright law, there is absolutely no substitute for experience.
They work with the Business Software Alliance ("BSA").
Watch my video to learn more about the BSA. This firm can be EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVE as a software trade association. We have settled a very large number of software disputes with them.
Top three things to do if you get a software license demand.
Here is a very short and simple roadmap if your company is being audited.
- Do not destroy evidence (maintain the status quo). Let's get things figured out.
- Do not call their representatives or copyright lawyers. You may be tempted to believe things can be worked out fairly and amicably, until you then admit your liability, and see a large monetary demand that will be very hard to back out of
- Call Vondran Legal. We are a very experienced software compliance and infringement defense law firm and have settled an estimated 1,000 software disputes. We have also litigated sever 100 copyright disputes since our founding in 2004.
Check out our sterling past-client reviews (nearly 120). These good folks have done the due diligence for your company.
Contact Vondran Legal® Copyright Software Defense Law Firm
Since we know the business, we know what to expect. In most (non-litigation cases) we are able to offer you a low, predictable (one-time) flat rate legal fee. So you know what you are paying. No surprise bills from us at the end of the representation, and no law firm "stalling" just to beef up the billable hours. We do things differently. Our goal is to resolve your case confidentially and for the minimum amount possible. Call us at (877) 276-5084 or shoot us an email through our contact form on the right side of this page.