A Dutch court ruled that Broadcom's VMware subsidiary must support Rijkswaterstaat (RWS) for at least two years while it transitions to an alternative platform. RWS, responsible for essential water management infrastructure, accused VMware of breach when it sought to extend its support amid rising costs and a shift to a subscription model. The ruling requires VMware to provide maintenance under reasonable terms, as RWS rejected a new licensing scheme that increased costs by 85%. This case highlights significant public sector challenges in adapting to changing software licensing.
The court mandated Broadcom's VMware to support RWS for two more years during their migration, highlighting the importance of software access for public infrastructure.
RWS labeled VMware's new subscription pricing as exorbitant—85% higher—forcing them to seek alternatives while still needing maintenance on existing systems.
As the main agency handling the Netherlands' water management, RWS's migration off VMware is critical, illustrating public sector dependency on legacy software systems.
The Hague court ruling emphasizes that changing licensing terms cannot leave essential public services in operational jeopardy, thus prioritizing continuity and access.
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