https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/24/tata_210m_code_theft/ # # Sign in / up The Register(r) -- Biting the hand that feeds IT # # # Topics Security Security All SecurityCyber-crimePatchesResearchCSO (X) Off-Prem Off-Prem All Off-PremEdge + IoTChannelPaaS + IaaSSaaS (X) On-Prem On-Prem All On-PremSystemsStorageNetworksHPCPersonal TechCxOPublic Sector (X) Software Software All SoftwareAI + MLApplicationsDatabasesDevOpsOSesVirtualization (X) Offbeat Offbeat All OffbeatDebatesColumnistsScienceGeek's GuideBOFHLegalBootnotesSite NewsAbout Us (X) Special Features Special Features All Special Features Cloud Infrastructure Week Cybersecurity Month Blackhat and DEF CON Sysadmin Month The Reg in Space Emerging Clean Energy Tech Week Spotlight on RSA Energy Efficient Datacenters Vendor Voice Vendor Voice Vendor Voice All Vendor VoiceAmazon Web Services (AWS) Business TransformationDDN Google Cloud Data TransformationGoogle Cloud InfrastructureGoogle WorkspaceHewlett Packard Enterprise: AI & ML solutionsHewlett Packard Enterprise: Edge-to-Cloud PlatformIntel vProVMware (X) Resources Resources Whitepapers Webinars & Events Newsletters [legal] Legal 9 comment bubble on white Tata Consultancy Services ordered to cough up $210M in code theft trial 9 comment bubble on white Naughty engineers + inability to work email = $$$ icon Richard Speed Fri 24 Nov 2023 // 16:32 UTC # A jury has sided with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) against Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) over the theft of source code and documentation. A total of $210 million was this week awarded. According to the verdict [PDF], a Texas jury agreed that TCS had "willfully and maliciously" misappropriated both source and confidential documentation by "improper means," awarding CSC $140 million in damages, with another $70 million tacked on for TCS's "unjust enrichment." The complaint [PDF] was filed in April 2019 regarding CSC's VANTAGE-ONE and CyberLife software platforms. CSC had licensed these software platforms to Transamerica Corporation, a life insurance holding company, to whom Tata - used here to collectively refer to Tata Consultancy Services Limited and Tata America International Corporation - began providing maintenance services. [legal] In 2014, CSC and Transamerica signed off on a Third-Party Access Addendum that would allow Tata to alter CSC's software, but only for the benefit of its customer - Transamerica. [legal] [legal] All was well until 2016, when Transamerica decided it needed to refresh its software. CSC and Tata both put in bids. CSC lost, and Tata won with its own software platform called BaNCS. The circumstances got sticky at this point, not least because Tata hired more than 2,000 Transamerica employees. CSC alleged that these former employees had access to its code and documents, and forwarded them on to the Tata BaNCS development team. [legal] The situation escalated in 2019, when a CSC employee was accidentally copied in on an email between Tata and Transamerica showing that Tata was accessing confidential information, according to CSC. The company then began legal proceedings. * Tata Consultancy Services to create touchy feely 'Internet of Actions' * Indian giant Tata fluffs its lines as it takes on Amazon and Walmart * Indian mega-corp Tata unveils surprise 5G networking business * Tata Consultancy Services added just 7* customers in FY21 ... and 40,000 staff as revenue, profit flattened Documents and motions have been exchanged in the years since as Tata sought to get the case thrown out while CSC's claims were upheld. Eventually, it went to a jury trial, which found for CSC. CSC, which dates back to 1968, was merged with the Enterprise Services business of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to form DXC in 2017. The corporate mash-up has had its own legal troubles - a lawsuit was launched in 2019 by investors concerned over layoffs following the merger. CSC's April 2019 complaint is highly critical of TCS. It alleged: "Misappropriating sophisticated business software is, apparently, TCS' method of entering new business markets in the United States," citing the example of Epic Systems Corporation. Epic, a healthcare software provider, kicked off litigation in 2014, alleging that "TCS entities accessed Epic's web portal without authorization while servicing a mutual client." According to CSC's complaint, the information gleaned was then used to develop a competing software platform. In that instance, the jury agreed with Epic and in October 2017 awarded Epic substantial damages. [legal] However, the champagne corks won't be popping at CSC just yet. If the Epic experience is anything to go by - the decision was appealed - there will likely be legal twists and turns aplenty before payments are made and the case is closed. (r) Get our Tech Resources # Share More about * CSC * DXC * Legal More like these x More about * CSC * DXC * Legal * Tata Group Narrower topics * Discrimination * Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 * Software License * Telecommunications Act of 1996 More about # Share 9 comment bubble on white COMMENTS More about * CSC * DXC * Legal More like these x More about * CSC * DXC * Legal * Tata Group Narrower topics * Discrimination * Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 * Software License * Telecommunications Act of 1996 TIP US OFF Send us news --------------------------------------------------------------------- Other stories you might like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo sign up for $42 billion scheme to make kit in India ASIA IN BRIEF PLUS: Tata orders staff to move cities; Singapore okays stablecoins; Australia trials CoPilot; and more Systems20 Nov 2023 | 4 Former infosec COO pleads guilty to attacking hospitals to drum up business Admits to taking phones used for 'code blue' emergencies offline and more Cyber-crime20 Nov 2023 | 12 Italy seizes from Airbnb $836M in alleged unpaid taxes Biz says it's just following EU rules instead Offbeat7 Nov 2023 | 33 Surviving a cyberattack? It ain't what you store, it's the way you restore it ExaGrid explains why backup and storage tiers can prevent cyber security tears Sponsored Feature [legal] Feds collar suspected sanctions-busting Russian smugglers of US tech Parts sent to Moscow allegedly found on Ukrainian battlefields Security1 Nov 2023 | 15 Tesla swerves liability in Autopilot death lawsuit Cali jury decides 9-3 Muskmobile maker wasn't at fault when Model 3 veered into tree and exploded AI + ML31 Oct 2023 | 43 Trademark fight: Brit biz Threads has a teeny tiny problem with Meta's Threads Software house says it's had UK trademark since 2012 as Zuck & Co know full well Personal Tech31 Oct 2023 | 23 Fujitsu public cloud to be absorbed into main biz, then refreshed Asia In Brief PLUS: Hikvision accused of targeting minorities; Australia's 'cyber-shield'; Huawei's superchip source revealed? Off-Prem30 Oct 2023 | 5 Ex-Fugees star accuses his lawyer of going full robot in corruption trial Updated An AI may be able to botch a closing argument, but can it sing Killing Me Softly? AI + ML17 Oct 2023 | 8 3D printer purchases could require background checks under proposed law Bill in New York aims to stop spread of ghost guns, but fails to address existing kit or private sales Legal17 Oct 2023 | 35 Judge tosses Sonos's $32.5M patent win over Google with savage slam down 'It is wrong that our system was used to punish an innovator and to enrich a pretender' Personal Tech10 Oct 2023 | 22 Microsoft does not want ValueLicensing CEO anywhere near its confidentiality ring Perpetual license case perpetually rumbles on Software10 Oct 2023 | 12 The Register icon Biting the hand that feeds IT About Us* * Contact us * Advertise with us * Who we are Our Websites* * The Next Platform * DevClass * Blocks and Files Your Privacy* * Cookies Policy * Privacy Policy * T's & C's * Do not sell my personal information Situation Publishing Copyright. All rights reserved (c) 1998-2023 no-js