{
  "id": 167470,
  "title": "Double trouble for Microsoft as pre-owned software licenses claims converge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/double-trouble-for-microsoft-as-pre-owned-software-licenses-claims",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-05T09:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register Science",
    "slug": "the-register-science",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/saas/2026/08/05/double-trouble-for-microsoft-as-pre-owned-software-licenses-claims-converge/5282421"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two legal battles involving Microsoft over pre-owned software licenses are converging, posing a challenge for the tech giant. ValueLicensing, the plaintiff in one case, has been invited to a case management conference in the related collective action against Microsoft, according to the reseller's boss, Jonathan Horley. In the other case, barrister Alexander Wolfson is the proposed class representative, representing over two million UK customers. Both cases are before the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal and revolve around Microsoft's alleged efforts to restrict the pre-owned software market. ValueLicensing has a case management conference scheduled for September 14, followed by another on September 15, potentially addressing the interaction between the two proceedings. If the claims eventually proceed together, Microsoft's defense could become more complex due to the procedural links between the two cases. ValueLicensing's legal team, known for their expertise in the pre-owned Microsoft market, sees this development as a positive step in their competition and copyright law claims. Microsoft, however, has declined to comment on the matter.",
  "summary": "Tribunal to explore how £270 million reseller case intersects with multibillion-pound class action",
  "key_points": [
    "Two legal battles involving Microsoft over pre-owned software licenses converge.",
    "ValueLicensing invited to case management conference on September 14.",
    "Barrister Alexander Wolfson proposed class representative for UK customers."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Register",
        "title": "Double trouble for Microsoft as pre-owned software license claims converge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/double-trouble-for-microsoft-as-pre-owned-software-license-claims",
        "published": "2026-08-05T09:02:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}