The Broadcom/VMware and Siemens Licensing Dispute Timeline

This document outlines the significant events in the ongoing licensing dispute between Broadcom, VMware, and Siemens, highlighting key developments over the years.

2012: VMware and Siemens enter into a master software license and service agreement, as detailed in a complaint filed by VMware in March of this year.

September 2021: An amended license agreement is signed, extending for three years with an option for an additional year of support services.

November 2023: Broadcom acquires VMware.

September 9, 2024: Siemens requests to extend support services for certain products, asking VMware for a list of licenses.

September 10: VMware requests Siemens to provide a detailed list of these licenses.

September 12: Siemens declines to provide the requested list.

September 13: VMware proposes a 30-day extension of support and reiterates its request for the licensing information, suggesting the involvement of an independent third-party auditor.

September 17: Siemens communicates potential legal action if VMware does not extend the support agreement.

September 20: VMware outlines discrepancies between Siemens’ support request and its records of licenses.

September 25: Siemens formally submits a purchase order for the renewal of support services.

September 28: Siemens threatens legal action against VMware.

September 30: The original three-year amended license agreement lapses.

October 4: Siemens asserts that it has effectively extended the agreement until September 29, 2025, due to its renewal notice.

October 8: VMware agrees to support services based on Siemens’ September 9 list, while claiming the right to seek compensation for any unauthorized software and support services.

October 29: Siemens revises its earlier list of support needs to better align with VMware’s records, indicating 23,000 deployments across 18 Siemens entities in the U.S.

March 21, 2025: VMware files a lawsuit against Siemens and its U.S. subsidiaries in the District Court of Delaware, after back-and-forth exchanges lead to Siemens being given until June 10 to respond.

June 10: Siemens responds with a dismissal request, suggesting that the case should move to courts in Munich, citing a "forum selection clause" from their original agreement.

June 24: VMware counters, claiming that Siemens distributed infringing VMware products to its U.S. subsidiaries in violation of U.S. copyright law.

July 1: Siemens denies the allegations, arguing that all actions taken by the parent company occurred in Germany and asserts that downloading software does not constitute copyright infringement under U.S. law.

The timeline also includes other licensing conflicts involving Broadcom:

August 20, 2024: AT&T sues Broadcom, alleging retroactive changes to VMware licenses, demanding purchases of bundled subscriptions which AT&T refuses.

November 21, 2024: AT&T and Broadcom inform the court of reaching a settlement, though terms remain undisclosed.

September 5, 2024: United Healthcare Services receives a proposed amendment to its license agreement from Broadcom, which it rejects.

November 2024: Broadcom seeks to replace the entire agreement, but United Healthcare also rejects this.

February 2025: After discussions fail, Broadcom insists that the CA Software renewal will be bundled with VMware software renewal.

March 30: The CA Software license is set to expire but is renewed until April 18, 2025, to allow further negotiations.

April 2, 2025: United Healthcare files a lawsuit against Broadcom, alleging coercion into paying excessive fees for CA software and related services.

June 2024: In a similar dispute, the RWS of the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure, which has used VMware products for 15 years, faces denial from Broadcom to extend a support agreement.

March 5, 2025: RWS notifies Broadcom of plans to phase out VMware products within two to three years while seeking a reasonable support fee.

June 27: In court, a judge rules in favor of RWS, mandating Broadcom to provide necessary maintenance and support for VMware products under perpetual licenses for two years, or face daily penalties for non-compliance.

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