Can licenses limit competitors’ use? Copyright ruling hits third-party software support providers

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Abstract: Purchasers of software know that it’s not just the license that can take a bite out of their wallets — it’s also the costly maintenance contracts. Third-party providers have begun offering licensees cheaper maintenance and support alternatives. But as this article shows, one software company has struck back, and the favorable ruling it obtained in its copyright infringement lawsuit against a third-party provider may make it harder for such businesses to compete. A short sidebar looks at the defense of copyright misuse and why it failed in this case. Oracle USA, Inc. v. Rimini Street, Inc., No. 16-16832, -16905, Jan. 8, 2018, 9th Cir.