The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has reinstated an $82.2 million jury award to Versata Software Inc. in its legal battle against Ford Motor Company. This decision revives a significant portion of the original $104.6 million verdict, which had been previously overturned by a lower court.
Versata, an Austin-based software firm, had licensed its automotive configuration software to Ford from 1998 until 2015. The software facilitated real-time collaboration among Ford’s engineers and marketing teams during vehicle design processes. After the licensing agreement ended, Ford developed its own software, leading to allegations from Versata that Ford had misappropriated trade secrets and breached their contract.
In 2022, a Detroit jury awarded Versata $82.2 million for breach of contract and $22.4 million for trade secret misappropriation. However, U.S. District Judge Matthew Leitman overturned this verdict in 2023, citing insufficient evidence for the jury to accurately calculate damages.
The Federal Circuit’s recent decision reinstates the breach-of-contract damages, stating that the jury had calculated these damages with “reasonable certainty.” The court also ordered a new trial to determine the appropriate amount of damages for the trade secret misappropriation claim.
Representatives for both Ford and Versata have not immediately responded to requests for comment.
Ford’s stock performance remains a point of interest for investors. As of May 22, 2026, Ford’s stock is trading at $14.93, reflecting a 9.29% increase from the previous close. The stock has seen an intraday high of $14.95 and a low of $13.62, with a market capitalization of approximately $60.78 billion.
This case underscores the complexities of intellectual property rights and contractual obligations within the automotive industry, highlighting the significant financial and reputational stakes involved.