Court Orders Microsoft to Reveal Internal Docs in Licensing Dispute
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A judge has mandated the disclosure of executive communications and a 'known adverse' presentation in a case involving secondhand software licenses.
A legal battle between Microsoft and secondhand software reseller ValueLicensing has intensified following a consent order requiring the software giant to produce internal documents and executive communications. According to reporting from The Register, the order focuses on allegations that Microsoft provided incentives for customers to migrate to subscription services in exchange for not selling their pre-owned licenses.
Central to the dispute is a June 2013 document titled "Second-Hand Software Presentation" (SHS Presentation). While Microsoft disclosed the document on December 22, 2025, the court has designated it as a "Known Adverse Document." Microsoft must explain by October 31 why this document was not disclosed sooner in a case originally filed in 2021.
The court has further ordered Microsoft to conduct unredacted searches of corporate mailboxes and SharePoint accounts for terms such as "antitrust," "used licenses," and "Value Licensing" covering the period from July 3, 2012, to June 1, 2020. The search includes communications from high-level executives, specifically former COO Kevin Turner (2005-2016) and current Corporate VP Richard Chin, who served as General Manager during the relevant period.
ValueLicensing CEO Jonathan Horley stated to The Register that the order is a result of years of work to secure disclosure and brings a liability trial closer. In a statement to The Register, Microsoft declined to comment on the order. The company has until November 30 to produce the search results.