Synopsys and the University of Rhode Island Settle Litigation over Alleged Piracy and DMCA Violations
Last month, we provided an update on litigation between the software company Synopsys and the University of Rhode Island ("URI"). As we first reported in February of this year, Synopsys asserted that URI had engaged in piracy and had violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by using counterfeit licenses to access Synopsys products. URI denied the allegations and provided numerous affirmative defenses in its answer.
Since last month, the parties have entered into a confidential settlement agreement. While the terms of the agreement are confidential, the court filed an order stating that URI agreed that it “may use or access Synopsys applications only with and pursuant to a valid license issued by Synopsys and only in the quantities specified by such license(s).” The court further retained jurisdiction to enforce the terms of the confidential agreement. The parties will not be required to file a new suit to enforce the agreement and the prevailing party in any enforcement action will recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. Lastly, the matter was dismissed with prejudice, and the parties were required to bear their own attorneys’ fees and costs.
Should such enforcement be necessary, we will be sure to provide updates.
