A Gujarat court has handed Trimble Solutions Corporation a decisive legal victory in its case against Steel Konnect India Pvt. Ltd., awarding Rs. 58,75,000 (approximately USD 70,000) in damages for the unauthorized use of Tekla Structures software.
This judgment is one of the largest software copyright awards in India to date and sends a clear message to commercial infringers: piracy comes at a steep price.
Background
The court-commissioned inspection revealed widespread illegal use of Tekla Structures across multiple systems at Steel Konnect’s Ahmedabad office. The company refused to participate in proceedings, did not respond to notices, and failed to appear before the court.
The judgment records that the defendants knowingly and intentionally remained absent from the suit proceedings and did not obey court orders (Judgment, p. 13).
The plaintiffs submitted pricing data showing total license value losses of ₹48.4 lakh (~USD 58,100), and the court awarded an additional ₹10.35 lakh (~USD 12,400) in legal costs, bringing the final judgment to ₹58.75 lakh (~USD 70,500).
Why This Ruling Matters
This case is important not only for its scale but also because it shows:
- Courts will award hard damages based on license value, even in the absence of defendants.
- Use of unauthorized engineering software for commercial gain is a serious legal violation.
- Court-appointed technical inspections are a trusted evidentiary tool.
Trimble’s enforcement campaign in India has gained notable momentum. This judgment follows a recent case involving criminal sentencing for another Indian infringer who was jailed for Tekla piracy.
Together, these outcomes demonstrate a consistent and aggressive enforcement posture:
Trimble is holding infringers accountable in both civil and criminal courtrooms — and winning.
A Warning to Infringers
This case sends a powerful message to engineering, construction, and infrastructure firms across India:
- Unlicensed use of professional software like Tekla Structures is not a grey area — it is IP theft.
- Absence in court does not equal escape.
- Indian courts are prepared to calculate and enforce large monetary awards.
- Repeat violations may lead to criminal prosecution.
Tekla maintains a clear and public position on license compliance, available at tekla.com/about/license-compliance.
If you suspect your software is being pirated by commercial users, contact ITCA to pursue action.
Get in touch to discuss evidence collection, valuation, and legal enforcement options.
