A federal jury in Michigan found Ford Motor Co. guilty of violating a contract and misuse of trade secrets, awarding Texas-based Versata Software $104.65 million Oct. 26 after three weeks of trial testimony.
"While we respect the jury’s decision, we believe the facts and the law do not support this outcome. Ford will appeal the verdict," spokeswoman Catherine Hargett told the Detroit Free Press on Oct. 27.
At issue is a 2004 contract between the two companies involving software Versata developed to manage how vehicle components are configured during assembly.
