Venice, Italy – January 2024In a groundbreaking decision, the Hexagons division VERO Software is awarded with a massive settlement for infringement of its software, marking a significant victory in intellectual property rights.

In a groundbreaking ruling that is sending ripples through the global software industry, the Court of Venice has ordered Sistema S.r.l. to pay €100,000 per illegal installation of VISI, a flagship CAD/CAM solution developed by VERO UK, a Hexagon company.

The total damages of €600,000 — levied against a small business — mark a landmark enforcement of software copyright law in Europe. The court based the penalty on the commercial value of VISI’s full module suite, which retails for approximately €140,000, confirming that €100,000 was a fair and equitable per-copy basis for damages.

Why This Case Matters

  • Judicial Recognition of Software Value: The court validated the full market price as the foundation for calculating damages — a huge win for software developers and publishers.
  • No Leniency for Small Business: Despite Sistema’s modest size, the judgment underscores that piracy is piracy, and commercial abuse of cracked software carries high financial risk.
  • Evidence from Telemetry and Forensics: Detailed technical reporting from ITCA showed multiple cracked installations and falsified license expirations. The court gave this forensic evidence decisive weight.
  • Public Shaming via Media: The judge ordered publication of the ruling in Il Corriere della Sera, Italy’s largest newspaper, as a public deterrent.

What This Means for Software Infringers

This ruling should serve as a wake-up call for any company — regardless of size — using unlicensed software in their operations. Courts are now willing to match the real commercial value of software when calculating damages, and enforcement tools like telemetry and AI-based license detection are highly effective in building airtight cases.

If you’re using cracked software, you’re not just breaching license terms — you’re taking a multi-hundred-thousand euro legal risk.

ITCA’s Role in the Case

Much of the evidence that led to this decision was provided by ITCA through forensic analysis, including software telemetry that proved continued unauthorized use over a multi-year period.

If you are aware of pirated software being used inside an organization, we encourage you to report it confidentially:
Report Software Piracy to ITCA.

About VISI

VISI is a powerful integrated CAD/CAM suite developed by Hexagon for the design and manufacturing of plastic and sheet metal molds. Its extensive modular system is tailored for industrial precision and efficiency, and its high market value is reflected in the court’s ruling.

Final Thoughts

This case proves that even a single cracked license can carry massive legal exposure. With automated tools and courts that now fully recognize the value of digital IP, the era of low-risk software piracy is over.

Italy - Venice Court Judgement - VERO UK vs. Sistema - January 2024
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