Vondran Legal- Nationwide Software Infringement Defense Law Firm - we have handled over 1,000 software piracy claims since 2004.  Call us at (877) 276-5084.

Introduction

Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks continues to actively enforce its software copyrights across the United States. In a series of federal lawsuits filed in 2025, the company has targeted businesses in multiple industries for alleged unauthorized use of its industry-leading CAD design software. These cases—filed in courts across Florida, New Hampshire, California, and Indiana—generally involve claims of copyright infringement and breach of software license agreements arising from the installation or use of unlicensed SolidWorks programs. The lawsuits reflect a broader enforcement trend in the software industry, where companies are increasingly using litigation to combat piracy and ensure compliance with licensing requirements. Below is a summary chart highlighting several recent SolidWorks enforcement actions and the key allegations involved in these cases.

Current lawsuits filed by Dassault

Dassault is engaged in many other actions protecting its copyright in the United States and abroad, they include: 

I.     Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corp. v. NewtonGen, Inc. et al, No. 8:25-cv-02891-CEH-AAS, (M.D. Fla.)

Case: 8:25-cv-02891-CEH-AAS
Court: U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
Filed: October 23, 2025
Defendants:

• NewtonGen, Inc.

• Richard Scarpelli

• Gary Lukfin

Claims

• Copyright infringement under the Copyright Act

• Breach of contract related to SolidWorks license terms

Allegations

Dassault alleges defendants used unauthorized copies of SolidWorks software in their engineering operations without valid licenses.

Procedural status

• The court dismissed the original complaint without prejudice as a “shotgun pleading.”

• Plaintiff was granted leave to file an amended complaint correcting pleading deficiencies.

II.     Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corp. v. Idea Lab LLC et al, No. 1:25-cv-00429-AJ (D.N.H.)

Case: 1:25-cv-00429-AJ
Court: U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire
Filed: October 29, 2025

Defendants

• Idea Lab LLC

• Peter Boyle

Claims

• Copyright infringement (17 U.S.C. §101)

• Likely breach of software license agreement

Complaint details

The complaint includes exhibits such as:

• Copyright registration

• SolidWorks license agreement

• Pre-suit demand letters

• Emails between parties

This suggests Dassault attempted pre-litigation settlement discussions before filing.

III.     Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corp. v. Nannopuppet Innovations LLC et al, No. 2:25-cv-09288-FLA-RAO (C.D. Cal.)

Case: 2:25-cv-09288-FLA-RAO
Court: Central District of California

Likely allegations (based on parallel suits)

These SolidWorks enforcement cases typically allege:

• Installation of unauthorized copies on company workstations

• Use of cracked or bypassed license keys

• Use beyond licensed seats

Relief sought

Usually includes:

• statutory damages (up to $150k per willful infringement)

• injunctive relief

• attorney's fees.

IV.     DASSAULT SYSTEMES SOLIDWORKS CORPORATION v. PRIME ENGINEERING INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS LLC et al, No. 1:25-cv-00756-RLY-MG (S.D. Ind.)

Case: 1:25-cv-00756-RLY-MG
Court: Southern District of Indiana

Defendants

• Prime Engineering Industrial Solutions LLC

• Possibly associated individuals

Claims

Most likely:

• Copyright infringement

• Breach of license agreement

• Circumvention of technological measures

Context

Engineering firms and manufacturing consultancies are frequent SolidWorks targets because they rely heavily on CAD systems.

V.      Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corp. v. Papis Garage Corp et al, No. 1:25-cv-21708-DPG (S.D. Fla.)

Case: 1:25-cv-21708-DPG
Court: Southern District of Florida

Defendants

• Papis Garage Corp

• Possibly company officers

Allegations (likely)

• Use of pirated SolidWorks in automotive or fabrication design

• Unauthorized installations across multiple computers

Litigation pattern

Dassault typically alleges:

• each unauthorized installation = a separate infringement

• damages tied to number of illegal copies used.

What to do if you received "the love letter," as we call it

If your company receives a notice of copyright infringement from Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks or its outside counsel (such as Harness IP), it is important to treat the matter seriously but respond strategically. These notices typically allege that a business has installed or used unlicensed versions of SolidWorks CAD software (plus add-ons such as Flow and Inspector and CAD) and may demand that the company purchase licenses, submit to a software audit, or pay a settlement.

Before taking any action, the recipient should carefully review the letter, preserve all relevant records, and avoid making admissions about software usage. Companies should conduct an internal review of their systems to determine whether SolidWorks is installed, how many seats are in use, and whether valid licenses exist.

It is also advisable to consult with an attorney experienced in software copyright enforcement and licensing disputes before responding to the demand. An attorney can help evaluate the claims, communicate with opposing counsel, negotiate a potential resolution, and ensure that the company does not inadvertently increase its legal exposure. Because these matters can escalate into federal copyright litigation if not addressed properly, early legal guidance and a thoughtful response strategy are critical.

Why are so many individuals and small businesses getting caught?

Dassault uses "phone-home" technology to monitor illegal installation or use of their products.  The recent surge in SolidWorks copyright enforcement cases can be attributed to several factors.

First, SolidWorks licenses carry a relatively high price, often costing thousands of dollars per seat, which creates a strong incentive for unauthorized use.

Second, CAD software piracy has historically been common in some engineering, manufacturing, and design environments where multiple workstations may use the software without proper licensing.

Third, advances in digital monitoring and license management technology now make it easier for software companies to detect irregular usage patterns and potential unauthorized installations.

Finally, these lawsuits appear to be part of a broader strategic deterrence campaign, where filing multiple enforcement actions across different jurisdictions sends a clear message to the industry that unlicensed software use will be actively pursued through litigation.

Contact Vondran Legal IP & Software Copyright

To discuss your case in confidence, call us at (877) 276-5084 or fill out the contact form on the right side of this page.  We can help get your case settled confidentially.