The licensing dispute between Broadcom, VMware, and Siemens has been ongoing, marked by a series of significant events that highlight the complexities of tech agreements in the industry.
Key Events Timeline:
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2012: VMware and Siemens entered into a master software license and service agreement, establishing the groundwork for their future business dealings.
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September 2021: An amended license agreement was signed for a three-year term with an option for a one-year extension for support services.
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November 2023: Broadcom completed its acquisition of VMware.
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September 2024: In a move to extend support, Siemens requested an additional year for certain products. VMware sought clarification on the list of licenses Siemens had for these products.
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Subsequent Developments: Siemens refused to disclose its list of licenses, leading VMware to suggest a temporary 30-day support extension while seeking an independent auditor’s review. Siemens escalated the situation by threatening legal action if VMware didn’t comply.
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October 4, 2024: The amended license agreement expired. Siemens claimed they had effectively extended the agreement despite VMware’s reservations about the matter.
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October 29, 2024: Siemens revised its request to a smaller list, aligning closer to VMware’s records. This included approximately 23,000 deployments.
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March 2025: VMware filed a lawsuit against Siemens in Delaware for distribution of infringing VMware products, alleging violations of U.S. copyright law.
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June 10, 2025: Siemens responded, claiming the case should be dismissed and transferred to Munich, citing a forum selection clause in their original agreement.
Further complicating matters, other disputes involving Broadcom also surfaced:
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AT&T vs. Broadcom: In August 2024, AT&T sued Broadcom for allegedly retroactively changing VMware licenses and coercing AT&T into purchasing additional bundles they did not want. A settlement was reached in November 2024.
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United Healthcare Services vs. Broadcom: Broadcom attempted to amend its licensing agreement for CA Software, which was initially rejected. Negotiations continued into 2025, leading to a lawsuit from United Healthcare, alleging Broadcom was attempting to manipulate licensing terms significantly.
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Dutch Government vs. Broadcom: The RWS, a Dutch government executive agency, disputed Broadcom’s refusal to extend their support agreement for VMware products after years of substantial investment in VMware’s perpetual licenses. A court ruled in favor of RWS, mandating Broadcom to provide updates and support under previously agreed conditions.
This pattern of disputes underscores the precarious nature of compliance and licensing in the tech industry, as companies navigate complex agreements. Broadcom’s interactions with various companies continue to spark legal scrutiny as they evolve in the post-acquisition landscape. For further details, you can explore additional insights on the Broadcom-VMware situation here.
