Ford’s $105 Million Damages Escape Interrogated by Appeals Panel

A Federal Circuit panel seemed likely to reverse a judge’s decision to reduce the amount Ford Motor Co. owed a software developer to just $3 from a jury’s $105 million award for trade secrets theft and breach of contract.

Ford’s counsel faced pointed questions during Thursday’s argument about the lower court’s finding that trial evidence was insufficient to reasonably calculate the award owed to Versata Software Inc.

Circuit Judge Todd M. Hughes asked Ford attorney Jessica L. Ellsworth of Hogan Lovells whether the lower court erred by saying unjust enrichment is inappropriate when there is licensing as a matter of ...