Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Ring

2025-10-22T17:13:35Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Sourced sections */ Reply

==Sourced sections==

On the English Wikipedia page of [[wikipedia:Ring_(company)|Ring]] there were four sections which seemed appropriate for this wiki. The citations are now all in the same format, and checked for if they still worked or provided with an archive link if that is not the case. If there are more incidents they can be added, and these should provide some context on the history. [[User:InTransparencyWeTrust|InTransparencyWeTrust]] ([[User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust|talk]]) 14:13, 8 February 2025 (UTC)

:Are long sourced sections like this appropriate on this website now ? I understand they were made a long time ago when there were much fewer resources, but now with all the activity the website is getting, should we refactor those ? I'd like to have moderator input on this subject. [[User:Plankton|Plankton]] ([[User talk:Plankton|talk]]) 21:45, 18 October 2025 (UTC)
::As stated within the incomplete notice, this should really be rewritten, however I'd say that these long wikipedia quotes, especially since they are properly attributed, are probably better than *not* having them at all, so happy to leave the article in its current state (with both the notice and the quotes) [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 21:57, 18 October 2025 (UTC)
:::Agreed and yes, this content was sourced to get the wiki going and to give sufficient context without resulting into a fractured structure to start out with [[User:InTransparencyWeTrust|InTransparencyWeTrust]] ([[User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust|talk]]) 17:13, 22 October 2025 (UTC)

==Spyware==

Some would argue the type of tracking that is possible with ring cameras is spyware. Should we adress this issue as such or would it be too subjective ? [[User:Plankton|Plankton]] ([[User talk:Plankton|talk]]) 21:42, 18 October 2025 (UTC)

:I don't think there's any need to squish it into a semantic box - just the actions by themselves are significant enough when laid out like this [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 21:58, 18 October 2025 (UTC)

VMware

2025-09-11T21:22:00Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: improve references with additional information

{{Stub}}
{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = {{PAGENAME}}
| Type =Subsidiary
| Founded =1998
| Industry =Virtualization Software
| Official Website =https://www.vmware.com
| Logo =Vmware.svg
}}
'''[[wikipedia:VMWare|VMware]]''' is a major player in the enterprise virtualization software market. The brand has been a subsidiary of [[Broadcom Inc.|Broadcom]] since November 2023.

Since the Broadcom takeover, licensing and business model changes bordering on extortion, price increases, litigations against corporate users such as Siemens, deliberately ending support for [https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/05/broadcom-sends-cease-and-desist-letters-to-subscription-less-vmware-users/ perpetual license] products, have left many customers facing skyrocketing virtualization costs.

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User freedom
* User privacy
* Business model
* Market control}}

In 2024, Broadcom removed the ability to extend support for perpetual licensing, and required that customers switch to subscription licensing. The product you bought can no longer be updated, to receive updates you must throw away your perpetual licensing and buy new subscription licenses. AT&T claimed an annual cost increase of 1050%.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=2024-10-01 |title=AT&T claims VMware offered it a 1,050 percent price rise |url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/01/att_broadcom_filings_update/ |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=The Register}}</ref>

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Cease and Desist Letters/Notifications===
{{Main|VMware extraordinary price increase for licenses since acquisition by Broadcom}}
An incident of a customer receiving a cease and desist letter from Broadcom, regarding perpetual licensing and other services offered.
[[File:Undefined - Imgur.png|thumb|alt= Re: Notice of Expiration of Support. Dear <Customer>, The above referenced Order(s) between ("Customer") and VMware LLC (as successor in interest to VMware, Inc. and hereinafter referred to as "VMware") expired on or before February 15, 2025 ("Expiration Date"). Accordingly, Customer's right to receive Support Services for the perpetual Software listed in the Order(s) expired on or before such date. As no new order(s) for subscription licenses and support services has been executed between the parties, Support Services are no longer available for the perpetual Software listed in the Order(s) and such Software licenses deployed in your environment are running unsupported. VMware, therefore, immediately demands that all use of Support Services associated with VMware Software, including Maintenance Releases/Updates, Minor Releases, Major Releases/Upgrades extensions, enhancements, patches, bug fixes or security patches (with the exception of zero-day security patches for vSphere 7.x and 8.x, CVSS score greater than or equal to 9.0, so long as those are generally provided by VMware at no cost) be ceased. The implementation of any of the aforementioned (excluding select zero-day patches as defined above) past the Expiration Date must be immediately removed/deinstalled. Any such use of Support past the Expiration Date constitutes a material breach of the Agreement with VMware and an infringement of VMware's intellectual property rights, potentially resulting in claims for enhanced damages and attorneys' fees. Additionally, Customer must comply with any post-expiration reporting requirements related to the Order(s) and governing license agreement. Failure to comply with such requirements may result in a breach of the Agreement by Customer and VMware may exercise its right to audit Customer as well as any other available contractual or legal remedy. If you have questions, please contact your Broadcom/VMware Account Director or authorized reseller. This communication shall not prejudice or waive any rights or remedies that Broadcom or VMware may have as respects the subject matter set forth herein, all of which are hereby expressly reserved. Sincerely, <Representative>|Notice of Expiration of Support by Broadcom<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-16 |title=Notice of Expiration of Support by Broadcom |url=https://imgur.com/FbrdQya |url-status= |access-date=2025-09-11}}</ref>]]
==Products==
{{Placeholder box|This is a list of the company's product lines '''with articles on this wiki'''.
* [[Example product line one]] (release date): Short summary of the product's incidents.
* [[Example product line two]] (release date):}}

==See also==
[[Broadcom Inc.]]

<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=2025-05-07 |title=VMware perpetual license holders receive cease-and-desist letters from Broadcom |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/05/broadcom-sends-cease-and-desist-letters-to-subscription-less-vmware-users/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |work=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=HJForsythe |date=2025-04-15 |title=VMWare threatening perpetual license holders than haven't purchased subcriptions. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/1jzqbte/vmware_threatening_perpetual_license_holders_than/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |via=Reddit}}</ref>

==Alternatives==
Alternatives include the popular free and open source project [https://www.proxmox.com/ Proxmox], which has a less polished user interface but is otherwise functionally very close and is backed by an Austria-based company that offers subscription-based support plans for corporate users.

Linux virtualization (e.g. Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization) is available with corporate levels of support. The VMware hypervisor shell is based on Red Hat. Nutanix offers comparable efficiency to VMware.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Virtualization software]]

Broadcom Inc.

2025-09-11T20:58:35Z

InTransparencyWeTrust:

{{Stub}}
{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = {{PAGENAME}}
| Type =Public
| Founded =HP Associates (1961‍–‍1999)
Agilent Semiconductor Products Group (1999‍–‍2005)
Avago Technologies (2005‍–‍2016)
Broadcom Limited (2016‍–‍2018)
| Industry =Semiconductor
Computer Software
| Official Website =https://www.broadcom.com/
| Logo =Broadcom logo (2016-present).svg
}}
'''Broadcom Inc.''' is an American multinational designer, developer, manufacturer, and global supplier of a wide range of semiconductor and infrastructure software products. Broadcom's product offerings serve the data center, networking, software, broadband, wireless, storage, and industrial markets.

The company that would later become Broadcom Inc. was established in 1961 as HP Associates, a semiconductor products division of [[HP Inc.|Hewlett-Packard]].

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User freedom
* User privacy
* Business model
* Market control}}Numerous anti-customer/anti-competitive practices

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

==='''Anti-competitive practices investigations'''===
In January 2018, it was reported that the FTC had been investigating Broadcom for several months for engaging in anti-competitive tactics while negotiating with customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cimilluca |first=Dana |date=17 Jan 2018 |title=FTC Investigates Broadcom Over Negotiations With Customers |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ftc-investigates-broadcom-over-negotiations-with-customers-1516212396 |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> In 2021, Broadcom agreed to settle the antitrust complaint, in which the U.S. Federal Trade Commission claimed that the company abused its monopoly power using restrictive contract terms and threats of retaliation against customers the company deemed "disloyal."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Scarcella |first=Mike |date=31 Aug 2021 |title=Broadcom hires Baker Donelson team for antitrust, tech lobbying |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/broadcom-hires-baker-donelson-team-antitrust-tech-lobbying-2021-08-31/ |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

In October 2019, Broadcom was ordered by the European Commission to stop allegedly anticompetitive practices.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Michaels |first=Daniel |date=16 Oct 2019 |title=Broadcom Ordered by EU to Halt Allegedly Anticompetitive Practices |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/broadcom-ordered-by-eu-to-halt-allegedly-anticompetitive-contract-practices-11571221103 |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> In 2021, Broadcom agreed to settle the antitrust complaint which claimed it had abused its monopoly power through restrictive contract terms and threats of retaliation against non-compliant customers.<ref name=":0" /> Such contract terms are alleged to stifle innovation and harm competition in the global supply market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Presse |first=AFP - Agence France |date=12 Jul 2023 |title=EU Clears US Chipmaker Broadcom's $61 Bn VMware Takeover |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/eu-clears-us-chipmaker-broadcom-s-61-bn-vmware-takeover-20d196dc |website=Barrons}}</ref> European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said that Broadcom's contract terms with six main customers would "create serious and irreversible harm to competition" if no action were taken.<ref name=":1" /> The company agreed to a commitment to suspend agreements containing exclusivity or quasi-exclusivity arrangements and a commitment not to enter into such agreements for seven years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lomas |first=Natasha |date=7 Oct 2020 |title=European antitrust regulators settle with Broadcom a year after ‘interim measures’ flex |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/07/european-antitrust-regulators-settle-with-broadcom-a-year-after-interim-measures-flex/ |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref>

===Aquisition of VMware, ending of perpetual licenses and Cease and Desist letters/notifications to customers===
{{Main|VMware extraordinary price increase for licenses since acquisition by Broadcom}}
On 22 November 2023, Broadcom Inc. completed the acquisition of [[VMware]] for $61 billion. Perpetual licenses for the software were ended and changed to a subscription-based model. Customers report that this new model results in higher overall pricing for their use of VMware, with documented increases ranging from 800% to 1,500%. Several notable businesses who are customers of VMware have started legal action against Broadcom.

==See also==

*[[VMWare|VMware by Broadcom]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Broadcom Inc.

2025-09-11T20:55:55Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Aquisition of VMware, ending of perpetual licenses and Cease and Desist letters/notifications to customers */ Add summary from main article

{{Stub}}
{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = {{PAGENAME}}
| Type =Public
| Founded =HP Associates (1961‍–‍1999)
Agilent Semiconductor Products Group (1999‍–‍2005)
Avago Technologies (2005‍–‍2016)
Broadcom Limited (2016‍–‍2018)
| Industry =Semiconductor
Computer Software
| Official Website =https://www.broadcom.com/
| Logo =Broadcom logo (2016-present).svg
}}
'''Broadcom Inc.''' is an American multinational designer, developer, manufacturer, and global supplier of a wide range of semiconductor and infrastructure software products. Broadcom's product offerings serve the data center, networking, software, broadband, wireless, storage, and industrial markets.

The company that would later become Broadcom Inc. was established in 1961 as HP Associates, a semiconductor products division of [[HP Inc.|Hewlett-Packard]].

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User freedom
* User privacy
* Business model
* Market control}}Numerous anti-customer/anti-competitive practices

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

==='''Anti-competitive practices investigations'''===
In January 2018, it was reported that the FTC had been investigating Broadcom for several months for engaging in anti-competitive tactics while negotiating with customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cimilluca |first=Dana |date=17 Jan 2018 |title=FTC Investigates Broadcom Over Negotiations With Customers |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ftc-investigates-broadcom-over-negotiations-with-customers-1516212396 |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> In 2021, Broadcom agreed to settle the antitrust complaint, in which the U.S. Federal Trade Commission claimed that the company abused its monopoly power using restrictive contract terms and threats of retaliation against customers the company deemed "disloyal."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Scarcella |first=Mike |date=31 Aug 2021 |title=Broadcom hires Baker Donelson team for antitrust, tech lobbying |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/broadcom-hires-baker-donelson-team-antitrust-tech-lobbying-2021-08-31/ |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

In October 2019, Broadcom was ordered by the European Commission to stop allegedly anticompetitive practices.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Michaels |first=Daniel |date=16 Oct 2019 |title=Broadcom Ordered by EU to Halt Allegedly Anticompetitive Practices |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/broadcom-ordered-by-eu-to-halt-allegedly-anticompetitive-contract-practices-11571221103 |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> In 2021, Broadcom agreed to settle the antitrust complaint which claimed it had abused its monopoly power through restrictive contract terms and threats of retaliation against non-compliant customers.<ref name=":0" /> Such contract terms are alleged to stifle innovation and harm competition in the global supply market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Presse |first=AFP - Agence France |date=12 Jul 2023 |title=EU Clears US Chipmaker Broadcom's $61 Bn VMware Takeover |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/eu-clears-us-chipmaker-broadcom-s-61-bn-vmware-takeover-20d196dc |website=Barrons}}</ref> European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said that Broadcom's contract terms with six main customers would "create serious and irreversible harm to competition" if no action were taken.<ref name=":1" /> The company agreed to a commitment to suspend agreements containing exclusivity or quasi-exclusivity arrangements and a commitment not to enter into such agreements for seven years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lomas |first=Natasha |date=7 Oct 2020 |title=European antitrust regulators settle with Broadcom a year after ‘interim measures’ flex |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/07/european-antitrust-regulators-settle-with-broadcom-a-year-after-interim-measures-flex/ |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref>

===Aquisition of VMware, ending of perpetual licenses and Cease and Desist letters/notifications to customers===
{{Main|VMware extraordinary price increase for licenses since acquisition by Broadcom}}On 22 November 2023, Broadcom Inc. completed the acquisition of [[VMware]] for $61 billion. Perpetual licenses for the software were ended and changed to a subscription-based model. Customers report that this new model results in higher overall pricing for their use of VMware, with documented increases ranging from 800% to 1,500%. Several notable businesses who are customers of VMware have started legal action against Broadcom.

==See also==

*[[VMWare|VMware by Broadcom]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Category:VMWare

2025-09-11T20:53:09Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: InTransparencyWeTrust moved page Category:VMWare to Category:VMware: Misspelled title

#REDIRECT [[:Category:VMware]]

Category:VMware

2025-09-11T20:53:08Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: InTransparencyWeTrust moved page Category:VMWare to Category:VMware: Misspelled title

[[Category:Broadcom Inc.]]
[[Category:Cloud computing providers]]
[[Category:Software companies]]

Talk:VMWare

2025-09-11T20:52:33Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: InTransparencyWeTrust moved page Talk:VMWare to Talk:VMware: Misspelled title

#REDIRECT [[Talk:VMware]]

Talk:VMware

2025-09-11T20:52:33Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: InTransparencyWeTrust moved page Talk:VMWare to Talk:VMware: Misspelled title

==Request for extensive research by this community==

Hi everyone, I need your help with a legal issue, time is of the essence here.

I work in the public sector in Europe, and the price increase of VMware since the Broadcom takeover is a disaster for the budgets of the sector.

So I kindly ask all of you, that are willing, to extend this page with worldwide evidence that the price increase is not legal, and add instances where courts have ruled against Broadcom.

That way, I know the arguments that can be used in the American legal system, as well as the legal action that can be taken in Europe.

It could lead to a video covering this matter: as of today I personally know institutions that suddenly need to be paying extra figures that go into the millions of euros/dollars.

Any help is helpful, because let's be realistic: moving large institutions to open-source solutions like Proxmox are not realistic on a small time scale.

The public sector is already under a lot of pressure where I live, so any help against this helps. [[User:InTransparencyWeTrust|InTransparencyWeTrust]] ([[User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust|talk]]) 13:36, 6 September 2025 (UTC)

:This is the main incident article for it: [[VMware extraordinary price increase for licenses since acquisition by Broadcom]] [[User:InTransparencyWeTrust|InTransparencyWeTrust]] ([[User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust|talk]]) 14:35, 6 September 2025 (UTC)

VMWare

2025-09-11T20:52:33Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: InTransparencyWeTrust moved page VMWare to VMware: Misspelled title

#REDIRECT [[VMware]]

VMware

2025-09-11T20:52:33Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: InTransparencyWeTrust moved page VMWare to VMware: Misspelled title

Talk:VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-07T15:21:38Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Article notice */ Reply

==Article notice==

@[[User:Beanie Bo|Beanie Bo]] Hi, I saw that you added a tone warning. You did not mention which sentences, I have rephrased the sentences which I suspect you flagged for. If there are more sentences, feel free to discuss them here. [[User:InTransparencyWeTrust|InTransparencyWeTrust]] ([[User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust|talk]]) 10:10, 7 September 2025 (UTC)

:Hey! I noticed some of the changes you made, and it's a great job so far. That opening sentence was most notable to me since it introduces the issue and tone, so getting that opening paragraph correct is pretty crucial. However, I still notice a few other instances worth mentioning:
:- '''"decided to"''' in the opening sentence sounds accusatory, especially given the original sentence context it was in with "against all criticism." Removing "decided" will get the point across in a much more neutral tone
:- '''"extraordinary"''' is both subjective and non-neutral descriptor, and it should only be used in quoted statements from references if that's the source of that particular word usage. Instead, for the wiki's voice, it should be replaced with something like "price jump/hike" (or another neutral equivalent). This phrase is more quantifiable and less subjective.
:- '''first and second person pronouns:''' in phrases like ""even if '''you''' do not use them" and "must provide '''us''' with support."
:There are many more full-sentence instances of showing bias against Broadcom, and the overall tone of the article appears judgmental instead of neutral. More weight is going toward criticism of Broadcom instead of simply stating the facts of the case, which is completely necessary for incident articles. To get this tone notice removed, the article must be framed more objectively and fairly and should balance all sides of the argument while giving '''due weight''' to the issue at hand. More info on the [[Consumer Rights Wiki:Wiki content policies|CRW Content Policies.]] [[User:Beanie Bo|Beanie Bo]] ([[User talk:Beanie Bo|talk]]) 13:25, 7 September 2025 (UTC)
::@[[User:Beanie Bo|Beanie Bo]] Thank you for the extensive explanation, I have toned down the article with your suggestions. [[User:InTransparencyWeTrust|InTransparencyWeTrust]] ([[User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust|talk]]) 15:21, 7 September 2025 (UTC)

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-07T15:20:48Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: Tone down the article

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Broadcom Inc.
|StartDate=2023-11-22
|Status=Active
|Product=VMware
|ArticleType=Product
}}{{ToneWarning}}
On 22 November 2023, [[Broadcom Inc.]] completed the acquisition of VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yoo |first=Ji |date=2023-11-23 |title=Broadcom Completes Acquisition of VMware |url=https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201233650/https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |archive-date=2023-12-01 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom Inc.}}</ref> Perpetual licenses for the software were ended and changed to a subscription based model.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsworth |first=Rick |date=2024-01-22 |title=VMware End Of Availability of Perpetual Licensing and SaaS Services |url=https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124152826/https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |archive-date=2024-01-24 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=VMware}}</ref> Customers report that this new model results in higher overall pricing for their use of VMware. Several large customers have started legal action against Broadcom.

==Background==
In 2025, Broadcom initiated the second phase of its VMware consolidation.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Ashare |first=Matt |date=2025-09-05 |title=Broadcom enters ‘second phase’ of VMware consolidation |url=https://www.ciodive.com/news/broadcom-vmware-vcf-adoption-second-phase/759406/ |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechTarget Industry Dive: CIODive}}</ref> The CEO stated that "more than 90% of VMware’s largest 10,000 customers have shifted from perpetual licenses to the subscription-based".<ref name=":2" />

Besides the new pricing models since the acquisition, Broadcom increased the minimum amount of cores from 16 to 72 cores in April 2025; which need to be payed regardless of use of those 72 cores.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robu |first=Raluca |date=2025-05-06 |title=VMware Price Increase in 2025: What You Need to Know |url=https://www.colocationplus.com/blog/vmware-price-increase-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521023945/https://www.colocationplus.com/blog/vmware-price-increase-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know |archive-date=2025-05-21 |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=ColocationPLUS}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=2025-03-28 |title=VMware distributor Arrow says minimum software subs set to jump from 16 to 72 cores |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/28/arrow_vmware_licensing_change/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250802114935/https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/28/arrow_vmware_licensing_change/ |archive-date=2025-08-02 |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=The Register}}</ref> In addition, being to late with the license renewal causes an additional 20% cost penalty.<ref name=":3" />

==End of perpetual licenses==
===Broadcom's response===

Broadcom argues that they have listened to their customers. They close their response to saying they will complete the transition plan to a subscription model for VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Hock |date=2024-04-15 |title=A changing market landscape requires constant evolution: our mission for VMware customers |url=https://www.broadcom.com/blog/a-changing-market-landscape-requires-constant-evolution-our-mission-for-vmware-customers |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom}}</ref>
==Lawsuits==

===Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure (Rijkswaterstaat v. Broadcom Inc.)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-27 |title=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |url=https://uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl/details?id=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=De Rechtspraak |language=nl}}</ref>===
On Friday, June 27, 2025, the summary proceedings judge granted Rijkswaterstaats (RWS) request. Broadcom must continue to provide RWS with support for a period of 2 years under the existing conditions and price.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-03 |title=Rijkswaterstaat wins summary proceedings against Broadcom over continuation of support |url=https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906145425/https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |archive-date=2025-09-06 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Openrijk}}</ref>

The judge ruled: "Unlike Broadcom et al. have stated, there was [thus] no question of free commercial negotiations between two large professional parties; one could say that RWS was in a bind. The judge ruled that RWS must be allowed to part ways with VMware/Broadcom and still receive support during that process. By failing to do so, Broadcom acts in violation of the care that is owed to RWS in social traffic."<ref name=":0" />

The ruling includes statements about earlier investigations. For instance, on July 22nd 2024, the European Commission stated that they would initiate investigations. They received complaints of the licensing model after Broadcom acquired VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-22 |title=Case AT.40924 - VMware software licensing - Request for information pursuant to Article 18(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 |url=https://dutchcloudcommunity.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Art-182-RFI-CISPE-Broadcom-VMware-22-07-24-esigned.pdf |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yun Chee |first=Foo |date=2024-04-25 |title=Broadcom questioned by EU over VMware licensing changes |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/broadcom-questioned-by-eu-over-vmware-licensing-changes-2024-04-15/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

===European Cloud Providers===
On Wednesday 30, July 30, 2025, the trade body for European Cloud providers CISPE started legal action against the European Commission.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Cojocaru |first=Alex |date=2025-07-30 |title=European Cloud Providers Drag Broadcom’s VMware Deal into Court |url=https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250809000200/https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |archive-date=2025-08-09 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Licenseware}}</ref> The legal action focuses on the acquisition approval by the EU Commission; arguing the remedies taken were "irrelevant to the real threat".<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-12 |title=Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, subject to conditions |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3777 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref>

===AT&T===
On November 21 2024, AT&T reached a settlement-in-principle with Broadcom over the alleged annual increase of 1,050% in costs for VMware.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Ashare |first=Matt |date=2024-11-22 |title=Broadcom, AT&T reach settlement in VMware legal dispute |url=https://www.ciodive.com/news/broadcom-att-vmware-settlement-licensing-support-lawsuit/733763/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215202230/https://www.ciodive.com/news/broadcom-att-vmware-settlement-licensing-support-lawsuit/733763/ |archive-date=2024-12-15 |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=TechTarget Industry Dive: CIODive}}</ref> The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but it is clear that AT&T is moving away from doing business with Broadcom.<ref name=":4" /> In the case, Broadcom argued to the court that they did not have to give support as AT&T did not renew their license.

US law recognizes the concept of transition assistance where the incumbent contractor remains legally responsible for maintaining service continuity and ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities for government contracts: this is governed by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), part 37.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-07 |title=Part 37 - Service Contracting |url=https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-37 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=ACQUISITION.GOV}}</ref> For business to business contracts, this is usually found in the contract transition clauses.

===Tesco===

===Siemens===

==Consumer response==

This section will highlight the cost hikes as those are often also reported by the contracted parties.

*CISPE's ECCO found that their members costs for VMware increased 8 to 15 times compared to the previous pricing model.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hale |first=Craig |date=2025-05-23 |title=Broadcom has allegedly hiked VMware costs between 800 and 1,500% |url=https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726024605/https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |archive-date=2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechRadar}}</ref>
*The reliance on VMware is high across many different sectors and is not something that can easily be replaced by other software on a whim.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Skye |date=2025-01-29 |title="We loved VMware. Now we hate it": Customers react to Broadcom's changes |url=https://www.techspot.com/news/106547-loved-vmware-now-hate-customers-react-broadcom-changes.html |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechSpot}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:VMWare]]

Talk:VMware extraordinary price increase for licenses since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-07T15:13:20Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: InTransparencyWeTrust moved page Talk:VMware extraordinary price increase for licenses since acquisition by Broadcom to Talk:VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom: Improve tone of the article title

#REDIRECT [[Talk:VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom]]

Talk:VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-07T15:13:20Z

VMware extraordinary price increase for licenses since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-07T15:13:20Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: InTransparencyWeTrust moved page VMware extraordinary price increase for licenses since acquisition by Broadcom to VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom: Improve tone of the article title

#REDIRECT [[VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom]]

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-07T15:13:19Z

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Broadcom Inc.
|StartDate=2023-11-22
|Status=Active
|Product=VMware
|ArticleType=Product
}}{{ToneWarning}}
On 22 November 2023, [[Broadcom Inc.]] completed the acquisition of VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yoo |first=Ji |date=2023-11-23 |title=Broadcom Completes Acquisition of VMware |url=https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201233650/https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |archive-date=2023-12-01 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom Inc.}}</ref> Perpetual licenses for the software were ended, and changed to a subscription based model.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsworth |first=Rick |date=2024-01-22 |title=VMware End Of Availability of Perpetual Licensing and SaaS Services |url=https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124152826/https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |archive-date=2024-01-24 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=VMware}}</ref> This results in extraordinary price increases all over the world, as the software is used globally, which also starts a chain of legal action globally against Broadcom.

==Background==
In 2025, Broadcom decided to initiate the second phase of its VMware consolidation.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Ashare |first=Matt |date=2025-09-05 |title=Broadcom enters ‘second phase’ of VMware consolidation |url=https://www.ciodive.com/news/broadcom-vmware-vcf-adoption-second-phase/759406/ |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechTarget Industry Dive: CIODive}}</ref> The CEO stated that "more than 90% of VMware’s largest 10,000 customers have shifted from perpetual licenses to the subscription-based".<ref name=":2" />

Besides the new pricing models since the acquisition, Broadcom increased the minimum amount of cores from 16 to 72 cores in April 2025; which need to be payed for even if you do not use them.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robu |first=Raluca |date=2025-05-06 |title=VMware Price Increase in 2025: What You Need to Know |url=https://www.colocationplus.com/blog/vmware-price-increase-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521023945/https://www.colocationplus.com/blog/vmware-price-increase-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know |archive-date=2025-05-21 |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=ColocationPLUS}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=2025-03-28 |title=VMware distributor Arrow says minimum software subs set to jump from 16 to 72 cores |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/28/arrow_vmware_licensing_change/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250802114935/https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/28/arrow_vmware_licensing_change/ |archive-date=2025-08-02 |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=The Register}}</ref> In addition, being to late with the license renewal causes an additional 20% cost penalty.<ref name=":3" />

==End of perpetual licenses==
===Broadcom's response===

Broadcom argues that they have listened to their customers. They close their response to saying they will complete the transition plan to a subscription model for VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Hock |date=2024-04-15 |title=A changing market landscape requires constant evolution: our mission for VMware customers |url=https://www.broadcom.com/blog/a-changing-market-landscape-requires-constant-evolution-our-mission-for-vmware-customers |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom}}</ref>
==Lawsuits==

===Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure (Rijkswaterstaat v. Broadcom Inc.)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-27 |title=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |url=https://uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl/details?id=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=De Rechtspraak |language=nl}}</ref>===
On Friday, June 27, 2025, the summary proceedings judge granted Rijkswaterstaats request. Broadcom must continue to provide us with support for a period of 2 years under the existing conditions and price.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-03 |title=Rijkswaterstaat wins summary proceedings against Broadcom over continuation of support |url=https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906145425/https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |archive-date=2025-09-06 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Openrijk}}</ref>

The judge ruled: "Unlike Broadcom et al. have stated, there was [thus] no question of free commercial negotiations between two large professional parties; one could say that RWS was in a bind. The judge ruled that RWS must be allowed to part ways with VMware/Broadcom and still receive support during that process. By failing to do so, Broadcom acts in violation of the care that is owed to RWS in social traffic."<ref name=":0" />

The ruling includes statements about earlier investigations. For instance, on July 22nd 2024, the European Commission stated that they would initiate investigations. They received complaints of the licensing model after Broadcom acquired VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-22 |title=Case AT.40924 - VMware software licensing - Request for information pursuant to Article 18(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 |url=https://dutchcloudcommunity.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Art-182-RFI-CISPE-Broadcom-VMware-22-07-24-esigned.pdf |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yun Chee |first=Foo |date=2024-04-25 |title=Broadcom questioned by EU over VMware licensing changes |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/broadcom-questioned-by-eu-over-vmware-licensing-changes-2024-04-15/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

===European Cloud Providers===
On Wednesday 30, July 30, 2025, the trade body for European Cloud providers CISPE started legal action against the European Commission.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Cojocaru |first=Alex |date=2025-07-30 |title=European Cloud Providers Drag Broadcom’s VMware Deal into Court |url=https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250809000200/https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |archive-date=2025-08-09 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Licenseware}}</ref> The legal action focuses on the acquisition approval by the EU Commission; arguing the remedies taken were "irrelevant to the real threat".<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-12 |title=Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, subject to conditions |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3777 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref>

===AT&T===
On November 21 2024, AT&T reached a settlement-in-principle with Broadcom over the alleged annual increase of 1,050% in costs for VMware.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Ashare |first=Matt |date=2024-11-22 |title=Broadcom, AT&T reach settlement in VMware legal dispute |url=https://www.ciodive.com/news/broadcom-att-vmware-settlement-licensing-support-lawsuit/733763/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215202230/https://www.ciodive.com/news/broadcom-att-vmware-settlement-licensing-support-lawsuit/733763/ |archive-date=2024-12-15 |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=TechTarget Industry Dive: CIODive}}</ref> The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but it is clear that AT&T is moving away from doing business with Broadcom.<ref name=":4" /> In the case, Broadcom argued to the court that they did not have to give support as AT&T did not renew their license.

US law recognizes the concept of transition assistance where the incumbent contractor remains legally responsible for maintaining service continuity and ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities for government contracts: this is governed by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), part 37.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-07 |title=Part 37 - Service Contracting |url=https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-37 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=ACQUISITION.GOV}}</ref> For business to business contracts, this is usually found in the contract transition clauses.

===Tesco===

===Siemens===

==Consumer response==

Instead of focusing on the outrage, this section will highlight the cost hikes as those are often also reported by the contracted parties.

*CISPE's ECCO found that their members costs for VMware increased 8 to 15 times compared to the previous pricing model.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hale |first=Craig |date=2025-05-23 |title=Broadcom has allegedly hiked VMware costs between 800 and 1,500% |url=https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726024605/https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |archive-date=2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechRadar}}</ref>
*The reliance on VMware is high across many different sectors and is not something that can easily be replaced by other software on a whim, which fuels further frustration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Skye |date=2025-01-29 |title="We loved VMware. Now we hate it": Customers react to Broadcom's changes |url=https://www.techspot.com/news/106547-loved-vmware-now-hate-customers-react-broadcom-changes.html |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechSpot}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:VMWare]]

Talk:VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-07T10:10:30Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Article notice */ new section

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-07T09:11:23Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* AT&T */ Add the settlement-in-principle

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Broadcom Inc.
|StartDate=2023-11-22
|Status=Active
|Product=VMware
|ArticleType=Product
}}{{ToneWarning}}
On 22 November 2023, [[Broadcom Inc.]] completed the acquisition of VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yoo |first=Ji |date=2023-11-23 |title=Broadcom Completes Acquisition of VMware |url=https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201233650/https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |archive-date=2023-12-01 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom Inc.}}</ref> Perpetual licenses for the software were ended, and changed to a subscription based model.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsworth |first=Rick |date=2024-01-22 |title=VMware End Of Availability of Perpetual Licensing and SaaS Services |url=https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124152826/https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |archive-date=2024-01-24 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=VMware}}</ref> This results in extraordinary price increases all over the world, as the software is used globally, which also starts a chain of legal action globally against Broadcom.

==Background==
In 2025, Broadcom decided to initiate the second phase of its VMware consolidation.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Ashare |first=Matt |date=2025-09-05 |title=Broadcom enters ‘second phase’ of VMware consolidation |url=https://www.ciodive.com/news/broadcom-vmware-vcf-adoption-second-phase/759406/ |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechTarget Industry Dive: CIODive}}</ref> The CEO stated that "more than 90% of VMware’s largest 10,000 customers have shifted from perpetual licenses to the subscription-based".<ref name=":2" />

Besides the new pricing models since the acquisition, Broadcom increased the minimum amount of cores from 16 to 72 cores in April 2025; which need to be payed for even if you do not use them.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robu |first=Raluca |date=2025-05-06 |title=VMware Price Increase in 2025: What You Need to Know |url=https://www.colocationplus.com/blog/vmware-price-increase-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521023945/https://www.colocationplus.com/blog/vmware-price-increase-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know |archive-date=2025-05-21 |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=ColocationPLUS}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=2025-03-28 |title=VMware distributor Arrow says minimum software subs set to jump from 16 to 72 cores |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/28/arrow_vmware_licensing_change/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250802114935/https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/28/arrow_vmware_licensing_change/ |archive-date=2025-08-02 |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=The Register}}</ref> In addition, being to late with the license renewal causes an additional 20% cost penalty.<ref name=":3" />

==End of perpetual licenses==
===Broadcom's response===

Broadcom argues that they have listened to their customers. They close their response to saying they will complete the transition plan to a subscription model for VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Hock |date=2024-04-15 |title=A changing market landscape requires constant evolution: our mission for VMware customers |url=https://www.broadcom.com/blog/a-changing-market-landscape-requires-constant-evolution-our-mission-for-vmware-customers |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom}}</ref>
==Lawsuits==

===Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure (Rijkswaterstaat v. Broadcom Inc.)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-27 |title=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |url=https://uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl/details?id=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=De Rechtspraak |language=nl}}</ref>===
On Friday, June 27, 2025, the summary proceedings judge granted Rijkswaterstaats request. Broadcom must continue to provide us with support for a period of 2 years under the existing conditions and price.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-03 |title=Rijkswaterstaat wins summary proceedings against Broadcom over continuation of support |url=https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906145425/https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |archive-date=2025-09-06 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Openrijk}}</ref>

The judge ruled: ‘Unlike Broadcom et al. have stated, there was [thus] no question of free commercial negotiations between two large professional parties; one could say that RWS was in a bind. The judge ruled that RWS must be allowed to part ways with VMware/Broadcom and still receive support during that process. By failing to do so, Broadcom acts in violation of the care that is owed to RWS in social traffic.<ref name=":0" />

The ruling includes statements about earlier investigations. For instance, on July 22nd 2024, the European Commission stated that they would initiate investigations. They received complaints of the licensing model after Broadcom acquired VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-22 |title=Case AT.40924 - VMware software licensing - Request for information pursuant to Article 18(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 |url=https://dutchcloudcommunity.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Art-182-RFI-CISPE-Broadcom-VMware-22-07-24-esigned.pdf |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yun Chee |first=Foo |date=2024-04-25 |title=Broadcom questioned by EU over VMware licensing changes |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/broadcom-questioned-by-eu-over-vmware-licensing-changes-2024-04-15/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

===European Cloud Providers===
On Wednesday 30, July 30, 2025, the trade body for European Cloud providers CISPE started legal action against the European Commission.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Cojocaru |first=Alex |date=2025-07-30 |title=European Cloud Providers Drag Broadcom’s VMware Deal into Court |url=https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250809000200/https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |archive-date=2025-08-09 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Licenseware}}</ref> The legal action focuses on the acquisition approval by the EU Commission; arguing the remedies taken were "irrelevant to the real threat".<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-12 |title=Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, subject to conditions |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3777 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref>

===AT&T===
On November 21 2024, AT&T reached a settlement-in-principle with Broadcom over the alleged annual increase of 1,050% in costs for VMware.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Ashare |first=Matt |date=2024-11-22 |title=Broadcom, AT&T reach settlement in VMware legal dispute |url=https://www.ciodive.com/news/broadcom-att-vmware-settlement-licensing-support-lawsuit/733763/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215202230/https://www.ciodive.com/news/broadcom-att-vmware-settlement-licensing-support-lawsuit/733763/ |archive-date=2024-12-15 |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=TechTarget Industry Dive: CIODive}}</ref> The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but it is clear that AT&T is moving away from doing business with Broadcom.<ref name=":4" /> In the case, Broadcom argued to the court that they did not have to give support as AT&T did not renew their license.

US law recognizes the concept of transition assistance where the incumbent contractor remains legally responsible for maintaining service continuity and ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities for government contracts: this is governed by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), part 37.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-07 |title=Part 37 - Service Contracting |url=https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-37 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=ACQUISITION.GOV}}</ref> For business to business contracts, this is usually found in the contract transition clauses.

===Tesco===

===Siemens===

==Consumer response==

Instead of focusing on the outrage, this section will highlight the cost hikes as those are often also reported by the contracted parties.

*CISPE's ECCO found that their members costs for VMware increased 8 to 15 times compared to the previous pricing model.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hale |first=Craig |date=2025-05-23 |title=Broadcom has allegedly hiked VMware costs between 800 and 1,500% |url=https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726024605/https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |archive-date=2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechRadar}}</ref>
*The reliance on VMware is high across many different sectors and is not something that can easily be replaced by other software on a whim, which fuels further frustration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Skye |date=2025-01-29 |title="We loved VMware. Now we hate it": Customers react to Broadcom's changes |url=https://www.techspot.com/news/106547-loved-vmware-now-hate-customers-react-broadcom-changes.html |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechSpot}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:VMWare]]

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-07T08:37:11Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Background */ Expand on the changes in 2025

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Broadcom Inc.
|StartDate=2023-11-22
|Status=Active
|Product=VMware
|ArticleType=Product
}}{{ToneWarning}}
On 22 November 2023, [[Broadcom Inc.]] completed the acquisition of VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yoo |first=Ji |date=2023-11-23 |title=Broadcom Completes Acquisition of VMware |url=https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201233650/https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |archive-date=2023-12-01 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom Inc.}}</ref> Perpetual licenses for the software were ended, and changed to a subscription based model.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsworth |first=Rick |date=2024-01-22 |title=VMware End Of Availability of Perpetual Licensing and SaaS Services |url=https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124152826/https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |archive-date=2024-01-24 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=VMware}}</ref> This results in extraordinary price increases all over the world, as the software is used globally, which also starts a chain of legal action globally against Broadcom.

==Background==
In 2025, Broadcom decided to initiate the second phase of its VMware consolidation.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Ashare |first=Matt |date=2025-09-05 |title=Broadcom enters ‘second phase’ of VMware consolidation |url=https://www.ciodive.com/news/broadcom-vmware-vcf-adoption-second-phase/759406/ |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechTarget Industry Dive: CIODive}}</ref> The CEO stated that "more than 90% of VMware’s largest 10,000 customers have shifted from perpetual licenses to the subscription-based".<ref name=":2" />

Besides the new pricing models since the acquisition, Broadcom increased the minimum amount of cores from 16 to 72 cores in April 2025; which need to be payed for even if you do not use them.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robu |first=Raluca |date=2025-05-06 |title=VMware Price Increase in 2025: What You Need to Know |url=https://www.colocationplus.com/blog/vmware-price-increase-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521023945/https://www.colocationplus.com/blog/vmware-price-increase-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know |archive-date=2025-05-21 |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=ColocationPLUS}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=2025-03-28 |title=VMware distributor Arrow says minimum software subs set to jump from 16 to 72 cores |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/28/arrow_vmware_licensing_change/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250802114935/https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/28/arrow_vmware_licensing_change/ |archive-date=2025-08-02 |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=The Register}}</ref> In addition, being to late with the license renewal causes an additional 20% cost penalty.<ref name=":3" />

==End of perpetual licenses==
===Broadcom's response===

Broadcom argues that they have listened to their customers. They close their response to saying they will complete the transition plan to a subscription model for VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Hock |date=2024-04-15 |title=A changing market landscape requires constant evolution: our mission for VMware customers |url=https://www.broadcom.com/blog/a-changing-market-landscape-requires-constant-evolution-our-mission-for-vmware-customers |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom}}</ref>
==Lawsuits==

===Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure (Rijkswaterstaat v. Broadcom Inc.)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-27 |title=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |url=https://uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl/details?id=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=De Rechtspraak |language=nl}}</ref>===
On Friday, June 27, 2025, the summary proceedings judge granted Rijkswaterstaats request. Broadcom must continue to provide us with support for a period of 2 years under the existing conditions and price.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-03 |title=Rijkswaterstaat wins summary proceedings against Broadcom over continuation of support |url=https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906145425/https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |archive-date=2025-09-06 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Openrijk}}</ref>

The judge ruled: ‘Unlike Broadcom et al. have stated, there was [thus] no question of free commercial negotiations between two large professional parties; one could say that RWS was in a bind. The judge ruled that RWS must be allowed to part ways with VMware/Broadcom and still receive support during that process. By failing to do so, Broadcom acts in violation of the care that is owed to RWS in social traffic.<ref name=":0" />

The ruling includes statements about earlier investigations. For instance, on July 22nd 2024, the European Commission stated that they would initiate investigations. They received complaints of the licensing model after Broadcom acquired VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-22 |title=Case AT.40924 - VMware software licensing - Request for information pursuant to Article 18(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 |url=https://dutchcloudcommunity.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Art-182-RFI-CISPE-Broadcom-VMware-22-07-24-esigned.pdf |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yun Chee |first=Foo |date=2024-04-25 |title=Broadcom questioned by EU over VMware licensing changes |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/broadcom-questioned-by-eu-over-vmware-licensing-changes-2024-04-15/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

===European Cloud Providers===
On Wednesday 30, July 30, 2025, the trade body for European Cloud providers CISPE started legal action against the European Commission.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Cojocaru |first=Alex |date=2025-07-30 |title=European Cloud Providers Drag Broadcom’s VMware Deal into Court |url=https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250809000200/https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |archive-date=2025-08-09 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Licenseware}}</ref> The legal action focuses on the acquisition approval by the EU Commission; arguing the remedies taken were "irrelevant to the real threat".<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-12 |title=Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, subject to conditions |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3777 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref>

===AT&T===

===Tesco===

===Siemens===

==Consumer response==

Instead of focusing on the outrage, this section will highlight the cost hikes as those are often also reported by the contracted parties.

*CISPE's ECCO found that their members costs for VMware increased 8 to 15 times compared to the previous pricing model.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hale |first=Craig |date=2025-05-23 |title=Broadcom has allegedly hiked VMware costs between 800 and 1,500% |url=https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726024605/https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |archive-date=2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechRadar}}</ref>
*The reliance on VMware is high across many different sectors and is not something that can easily be replaced by other software on a whim, which fuels further frustration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Skye |date=2025-01-29 |title="We loved VMware. Now we hate it": Customers react to Broadcom's changes |url=https://www.techspot.com/news/106547-loved-vmware-now-hate-customers-react-broadcom-changes.html |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechSpot}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:VMWare]]

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-06T18:01:19Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Background */ Start covering the recent events

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Broadcom Inc.
|StartDate=2023-11-22
|Status=Active
|Product=VMware
|ArticleType=Product
}}On 22 November 2023, [[Broadcom Inc.]] completed the acquisition of VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yoo |first=Ji |date=2023-11-23 |title=Broadcom Completes Acquisition of VMware |url=https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201233650/https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |archive-date=2023-12-01 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom Inc.}}</ref> Perpetual licenses for the software were ended, and changed to a subscription based model.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsworth |first=Rick |date=2024-01-22 |title=VMware End Of Availability of Perpetual Licensing and SaaS Services |url=https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124152826/https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |archive-date=2024-01-24 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=VMware}}</ref> This results in extraordinary price increases all over the world, as the software is used globally, which also starts a chain of legal action globally against Broadcom.

==Background==
Against all criticism, in 2025 Broadcom still decided to initiate the second phase of its VMware consolidation.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Ashare |first=Matt |date=2025-09-05 |title=Broadcom enters ‘second phase’ of VMware consolidation |url=https://www.ciodive.com/news/broadcom-vmware-vcf-adoption-second-phase/759406/ |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechTarget Industry Dive: CIODive}}</ref> The CEO stated that "more than 90% of VMware’s largest 10,000 customers have shifted from perpetual licenses to the subscription-based".<ref name=":2" />

==End of perpetual licenses==
===Broadcom's response===

Broadcom argues that they have listened to their customers. They close their response to saying they will complete the transition plan to a subscription model for VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Hock |date=2024-04-15 |title=A changing market landscape requires constant evolution: our mission for VMware customers |url=https://www.broadcom.com/blog/a-changing-market-landscape-requires-constant-evolution-our-mission-for-vmware-customers |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom}}</ref>
==Lawsuits==

===Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure (Rijkswaterstaat v. Broadcom Inc.)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-27 |title=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |url=https://uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl/details?id=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=De Rechtspraak |language=nl}}</ref>===
On Friday, June 27, 2025, the summary proceedings judge granted Rijkswaterstaats request. Broadcom must continue to provide us with support for a period of 2 years under the existing conditions and price.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-03 |title=Rijkswaterstaat wins summary proceedings against Broadcom over continuation of support |url=https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906145425/https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |archive-date=2025-09-06 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Openrijk}}</ref>

The judge ruled: ‘Unlike Broadcom et al. have stated, there was [thus] no question of free commercial negotiations between two large professional parties; one could say that RWS was in a bind. The judge ruled that RWS must be allowed to part ways with VMware/Broadcom and still receive support during that process. By failing to do so, Broadcom acts in violation of the care that is owed to RWS in social traffic.<ref name=":0" />

The ruling includes statements about earlier investigations. For instance, on July 22nd 2024, the European Commission stated that they would initiate investigations. They received complaints of the licensing model after Broadcom acquired VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-22 |title=Case AT.40924 - VMware software licensing - Request for information pursuant to Article 18(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 |url=https://dutchcloudcommunity.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Art-182-RFI-CISPE-Broadcom-VMware-22-07-24-esigned.pdf |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yun Chee |first=Foo |date=2024-04-25 |title=Broadcom questioned by EU over VMware licensing changes |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/broadcom-questioned-by-eu-over-vmware-licensing-changes-2024-04-15/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

===European Cloud Providers===
On Wednesday 30, July 30, 2025, the trade body for European Cloud providers CISPE started legal action against the European Commission.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Cojocaru |first=Alex |date=2025-07-30 |title=European Cloud Providers Drag Broadcom’s VMware Deal into Court |url=https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250809000200/https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |archive-date=2025-08-09 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Licenseware}}</ref> The legal action focuses on the acquisition approval by the EU Commission; arguing the remedies taken were "irrelevant to the real threat".<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-12 |title=Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, subject to conditions |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3777 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref>

===AT&T===

===Tesco===

===Siemens===

==Consumer response==

Instead of focusing on the outrage, this section will highlight the cost hikes as those are often also reported by the contracted parties.

*CISPE's ECCO found that their members costs for VMware increased 8 to 15 times compared to the previous pricing model.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hale |first=Craig |date=2025-05-23 |title=Broadcom has allegedly hiked VMware costs between 800 and 1,500% |url=https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726024605/https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |archive-date=2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechRadar}}</ref>
*The reliance on VMware is high across many different sectors and is not something that can easily be replaced by other software on a whim, which fuels further frustration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Skye |date=2025-01-29 |title="We loved VMware. Now we hate it": Customers react to Broadcom's changes |url=https://www.techspot.com/news/106547-loved-vmware-now-hate-customers-react-broadcom-changes.html |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechSpot}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:VMWare]]

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-06T17:55:34Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* End of perpetual licenses */ Fill in the company response

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Broadcom Inc.
|StartDate=2023-11-22
|Status=Active
|Product=VMware
|ArticleType=Product
}}On 22 November 2023, [[Broadcom Inc.]] completed the acquisition of VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yoo |first=Ji |date=2023-11-23 |title=Broadcom Completes Acquisition of VMware |url=https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201233650/https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |archive-date=2023-12-01 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom Inc.}}</ref> Perpetual licenses for the software were ended, and changed to a subscription based model.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsworth |first=Rick |date=2024-01-22 |title=VMware End Of Availability of Perpetual Licensing and SaaS Services |url=https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124152826/https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |archive-date=2024-01-24 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=VMware}}</ref> This results in extraordinary price increases all over the world, as the software is used globally, which also starts a chain of legal action globally against Broadcom.

==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==End of perpetual licenses==
===Broadcom's response===

Broadcom argues that they have listened to their customers. They close their response to saying they will complete the transition plan to a subscription model for VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Hock |date=2024-04-15 |title=A changing market landscape requires constant evolution: our mission for VMware customers |url=https://www.broadcom.com/blog/a-changing-market-landscape-requires-constant-evolution-our-mission-for-vmware-customers |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom}}</ref>
==Lawsuits==

===Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure (Rijkswaterstaat v. Broadcom Inc.)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-27 |title=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |url=https://uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl/details?id=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=De Rechtspraak |language=nl}}</ref>===
On Friday, June 27, 2025, the summary proceedings judge granted Rijkswaterstaats request. Broadcom must continue to provide us with support for a period of 2 years under the existing conditions and price.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-03 |title=Rijkswaterstaat wins summary proceedings against Broadcom over continuation of support |url=https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906145425/https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |archive-date=2025-09-06 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Openrijk}}</ref>

The judge ruled: ‘Unlike Broadcom et al. have stated, there was [thus] no question of free commercial negotiations between two large professional parties; one could say that RWS was in a bind. The judge ruled that RWS must be allowed to part ways with VMware/Broadcom and still receive support during that process. By failing to do so, Broadcom acts in violation of the care that is owed to RWS in social traffic.<ref name=":0" />

The ruling includes statements about earlier investigations. For instance, on July 22nd 2024, the European Commission stated that they would initiate investigations. They received complaints of the licensing model after Broadcom acquired VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-22 |title=Case AT.40924 - VMware software licensing - Request for information pursuant to Article 18(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 |url=https://dutchcloudcommunity.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Art-182-RFI-CISPE-Broadcom-VMware-22-07-24-esigned.pdf |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yun Chee |first=Foo |date=2024-04-25 |title=Broadcom questioned by EU over VMware licensing changes |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/broadcom-questioned-by-eu-over-vmware-licensing-changes-2024-04-15/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

===European Cloud Providers===
On Wednesday 30, July 30, 2025, the trade body for European Cloud providers CISPE started legal action against the European Commission.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Cojocaru |first=Alex |date=2025-07-30 |title=European Cloud Providers Drag Broadcom’s VMware Deal into Court |url=https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250809000200/https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |archive-date=2025-08-09 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Licenseware}}</ref> The legal action focuses on the acquisition approval by the EU Commission; arguing the remedies taken were "irrelevant to the real threat".<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-12 |title=Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, subject to conditions |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3777 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref>

===AT&T===

===Tesco===

===Siemens===

==Consumer response==

Instead of focusing on the outrage, this section will highlight the cost hikes as those are often also reported by the contracted parties.

*CISPE's ECCO found that their members costs for VMware increased 8 to 15 times compared to the previous pricing model.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hale |first=Craig |date=2025-05-23 |title=Broadcom has allegedly hiked VMware costs between 800 and 1,500% |url=https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726024605/https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |archive-date=2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechRadar}}</ref>
*The reliance on VMware is high across many different sectors and is not something that can easily be replaced by other software on a whim, which fuels further frustration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Skye |date=2025-01-29 |title="We loved VMware. Now we hate it": Customers react to Broadcom's changes |url=https://www.techspot.com/news/106547-loved-vmware-now-hate-customers-react-broadcom-changes.html |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechSpot}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:VMWare]]

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-06T17:48:26Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Consumer response */ Highlight reliance

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Broadcom Inc.
|StartDate=2023-11-22
|Status=Active
|Product=VMware
|ArticleType=Product
}}On 22 November 2023, [[Broadcom Inc.]] completed the acquisition of VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yoo |first=Ji |date=2023-11-23 |title=Broadcom Completes Acquisition of VMware |url=https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201233650/https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |archive-date=2023-12-01 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom Inc.}}</ref> Perpetual licenses for the software were ended, and changed to a subscription based model.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsworth |first=Rick |date=2024-01-22 |title=VMware End Of Availability of Perpetual Licensing and SaaS Services |url=https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124152826/https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |archive-date=2024-01-24 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=VMware}}</ref> This results in extraordinary price increases all over the world, as the software is used globally, which also starts a chain of legal action globally against Broadcom.

==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuits==

===Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure (Rijkswaterstaat v. Broadcom Inc.)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-27 |title=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |url=https://uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl/details?id=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=De Rechtspraak |language=nl}}</ref>===
On Friday, June 27, 2025, the summary proceedings judge granted Rijkswaterstaats request. Broadcom must continue to provide us with support for a period of 2 years under the existing conditions and price.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-03 |title=Rijkswaterstaat wins summary proceedings against Broadcom over continuation of support |url=https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906145425/https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |archive-date=2025-09-06 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Openrijk}}</ref>

The judge ruled: ‘Unlike Broadcom et al. have stated, there was [thus] no question of free commercial negotiations between two large professional parties; one could say that RWS was in a bind. The judge ruled that RWS must be allowed to part ways with VMware/Broadcom and still receive support during that process. By failing to do so, Broadcom acts in violation of the care that is owed to RWS in social traffic.<ref name=":0" />

The ruling includes statements about earlier investigations. For instance, on July 22nd 2024, the European Commission stated that they would initiate investigations. They received complaints of the licensing model after Broadcom acquired VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-22 |title=Case AT.40924 - VMware software licensing - Request for information pursuant to Article 18(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 |url=https://dutchcloudcommunity.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Art-182-RFI-CISPE-Broadcom-VMware-22-07-24-esigned.pdf |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yun Chee |first=Foo |date=2024-04-25 |title=Broadcom questioned by EU over VMware licensing changes |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/broadcom-questioned-by-eu-over-vmware-licensing-changes-2024-04-15/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

===European Cloud Providers===
On Wednesday 30, July 30, 2025, the trade body for European Cloud providers CISPE started legal action against the European Commission.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Cojocaru |first=Alex |date=2025-07-30 |title=European Cloud Providers Drag Broadcom’s VMware Deal into Court |url=https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250809000200/https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |archive-date=2025-08-09 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Licenseware}}</ref> The legal action focuses on the acquisition approval by the EU Commission; arguing the remedies taken were "irrelevant to the real threat".<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-12 |title=Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, subject to conditions |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3777 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref>

===AT&T===

===Tesco===

===Siemens===

==Consumer response==

Instead of focusing on the outrage, this section will highlight the cost hikes as those are often also reported by the contracted parties.

* CISPE's ECCO found that their members costs for VMware increased 8 to 15 times compared to the previous pricing model.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hale |first=Craig |date=2025-05-23 |title=Broadcom has allegedly hiked VMware costs between 800 and 1,500% |url=https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726024605/https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |archive-date=2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechRadar}}</ref>
* The reliance on VMware is high across many different sectors and is not something that can easily be replaced by other software on a whim, which fuels further frustration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Skye |date=2025-01-29 |title="We loved VMware. Now we hate it": Customers react to Broadcom's changes |url=https://www.techspot.com/news/106547-loved-vmware-now-hate-customers-react-broadcom-changes.html |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechSpot}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:VMWare]]

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-06T17:35:29Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Consumer response */ Start consumer response section

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Broadcom Inc.
|StartDate=2023-11-22
|Status=Active
|Product=VMware
|ArticleType=Product
}}On 22 November 2023, [[Broadcom Inc.]] completed the acquisition of VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yoo |first=Ji |date=2023-11-23 |title=Broadcom Completes Acquisition of VMware |url=https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201233650/https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |archive-date=2023-12-01 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom Inc.}}</ref> Perpetual licenses for the software were ended, and changed to a subscription based model.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsworth |first=Rick |date=2024-01-22 |title=VMware End Of Availability of Perpetual Licensing and SaaS Services |url=https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124152826/https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |archive-date=2024-01-24 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=VMware}}</ref> This results in extraordinary price increases all over the world, as the software is used globally, which also starts a chain of legal action globally against Broadcom.

==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuits==

===Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure (Rijkswaterstaat v. Broadcom Inc.)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-27 |title=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |url=https://uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl/details?id=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=De Rechtspraak |language=nl}}</ref>===
On Friday, June 27, 2025, the summary proceedings judge granted Rijkswaterstaats request. Broadcom must continue to provide us with support for a period of 2 years under the existing conditions and price.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-03 |title=Rijkswaterstaat wins summary proceedings against Broadcom over continuation of support |url=https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906145425/https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |archive-date=2025-09-06 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Openrijk}}</ref>

The judge ruled: ‘Unlike Broadcom et al. have stated, there was [thus] no question of free commercial negotiations between two large professional parties; one could say that RWS was in a bind. The judge ruled that RWS must be allowed to part ways with VMware/Broadcom and still receive support during that process. By failing to do so, Broadcom acts in violation of the care that is owed to RWS in social traffic.<ref name=":0" />

The ruling includes statements about earlier investigations. For instance, on July 22nd 2024, the European Commission stated that they would initiate investigations. They received complaints of the licensing model after Broadcom acquired VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-22 |title=Case AT.40924 - VMware software licensing - Request for information pursuant to Article 18(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 |url=https://dutchcloudcommunity.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Art-182-RFI-CISPE-Broadcom-VMware-22-07-24-esigned.pdf |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yun Chee |first=Foo |date=2024-04-25 |title=Broadcom questioned by EU over VMware licensing changes |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/broadcom-questioned-by-eu-over-vmware-licensing-changes-2024-04-15/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

===European Cloud Providers===
On Wednesday 30, July 30, 2025, the trade body for European Cloud providers CISPE started legal action against the European Commission.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Cojocaru |first=Alex |date=2025-07-30 |title=European Cloud Providers Drag Broadcom’s VMware Deal into Court |url=https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250809000200/https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |archive-date=2025-08-09 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Licenseware}}</ref> The legal action focuses on the acquisition approval by the EU Commission; arguing the remedies taken were "irrelevant to the real threat".<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-12 |title=Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, subject to conditions |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3777 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref>

===AT&T===

===Tesco===

===Siemens===

==Consumer response==

Instead of focusing on the outrage, this section will highlight the cost hikes as those are often also reported by the contracted parties.

* CISPE's ECCO found that their members costs for VMware increased 8 to 15 times compared to the previous pricing model.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hale |first=Craig |date=2025-05-23 |title=Broadcom has allegedly hiked VMware costs between 800 and 1,500% |url=https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726024605/https://www.techradar.com/pro/broadcom-has-allegedly-hiked-vmware-costs-between-800-and-1-500-percent |archive-date=2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=TechRadar}}</ref><br />

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:VMWare]]

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-06T17:22:08Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Lawsuits */ Start elaborating the european legal action taken

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Broadcom Inc.
|StartDate=2023-11-22
|Status=Active
|Product=VMware
|ArticleType=Product
}}On 22 November 2023, [[Broadcom Inc.]] completed the acquisition of VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yoo |first=Ji |date=2023-11-23 |title=Broadcom Completes Acquisition of VMware |url=https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201233650/https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-completes-acquisition-vmware |archive-date=2023-12-01 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Broadcom Inc.}}</ref> Perpetual licenses for the software were ended, and changed to a subscription based model.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsworth |first=Rick |date=2024-01-22 |title=VMware End Of Availability of Perpetual Licensing and SaaS Services |url=https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124152826/https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/ |archive-date=2024-01-24 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=VMware}}</ref> This results in extraordinary price increases all over the world, as the software is used globally, which also starts a chain of legal action globally against Broadcom.

==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuits==

===Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure (Rijkswaterstaat v. Broadcom Inc.)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-27 |title=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |url=https://uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl/details?id=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:11349 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=De Rechtspraak |language=nl}}</ref>===
On Friday, June 27, 2025, the summary proceedings judge granted Rijkswaterstaats request. Broadcom must continue to provide us with support for a period of 2 years under the existing conditions and price.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-03 |title=Rijkswaterstaat wins summary proceedings against Broadcom over continuation of support |url=https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906145425/https://openrijk.nl/en/rijksinstellingen/rijkswaterstaat/artikel/rijkswaterstaat-wint-kort-geding-tegen-broadcom-over-voortzetting-van-support/rijkswaterstaat-wins-summary-proceedings-against-broadcom-over-continuation-of-support |archive-date=2025-09-06 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Openrijk}}</ref>

The judge ruled: ‘Unlike Broadcom et al. have stated, there was [thus] no question of free commercial negotiations between two large professional parties; one could say that RWS was in a bind. The judge ruled that RWS must be allowed to part ways with VMware/Broadcom and still receive support during that process. By failing to do so, Broadcom acts in violation of the care that is owed to RWS in social traffic.<ref name=":0" />

The ruling includes statements about earlier investigations. For instance, on July 22nd 2024, the European Commission stated that they would initiate investigations. They received complaints of the licensing model after Broadcom acquired VMware.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-22 |title=Case AT.40924 - VMware software licensing - Request for information pursuant to Article 18(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 |url=https://dutchcloudcommunity.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Art-182-RFI-CISPE-Broadcom-VMware-22-07-24-esigned.pdf |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yun Chee |first=Foo |date=2024-04-25 |title=Broadcom questioned by EU over VMware licensing changes |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/broadcom-questioned-by-eu-over-vmware-licensing-changes-2024-04-15/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

=== European Cloud Providers ===
On Wednesday 30, July 30, 2025, the trade body for European Cloud providers CISPE started legal action against the European Commission.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Cojocaru |first=Alex |date=2025-07-30 |title=European Cloud Providers Drag Broadcom’s VMware Deal into Court |url=https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250809000200/https://licenseware.io/european-cloud-providers-drag-broadcoms-vmware-deal-into-court/ |archive-date=2025-08-09 |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=Licenseware}}</ref> The legal action focuses on the acquisition approval by the EU Commission; arguing the remedies taken were "irrelevant to the real threat".<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-12 |title=Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, subject to conditions |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3777 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=European Commission}}</ref>

===AT&T===

===Tesco===

===Siemens===

==Consumer response==
{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:VMWare]]

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-06T15:04:51Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Lawsuits */ List other major lawsuits

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-06T15:03:55Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Lawsuits */ Add summary proceedings win against Broadcom by Rijkswaterstaat

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-06T14:46:48Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: Fill in the summary

Talk:VMware

2025-09-06T14:35:54Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Request for extensive research by this community */ Add link to main article

VMware

2025-09-06T14:34:51Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Cease and Desist Letters/Notifications */ link to main article

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-06T14:33:23Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: add product category incident is about

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Broadcom Inc.
|StartDate=2023-11-22
|Status=Active
|Product=VMware
|ArticleType=Product
}}
{{Ph-I-Int}}
==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuit==
{{Ph-I-L}}

==Consumer response==
{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:VMWare]]

Category:VMware

2025-09-06T14:31:38Z

InTransparencyWeTrust:

[[Category:Broadcom Inc.]]
[[Category:Cloud computing providers]]
[[Category:Software companies]]

Broadcom Inc.

2025-09-06T14:29:41Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Aquisition of VMWare, ending of perpetual licenses and Cease and Desist letters/notifications to customers */ link to main article

{{Stub}}
{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = {{PAGENAME}}
| Type =Public
| Founded =HP Associates (1961‍–‍1999)
Agilent Semiconductor Products Group (1999‍–‍2005)
Avago Technologies (2005‍–‍2016)
Broadcom Limited (2016‍–‍2018)
| Industry =Semiconductor
Computer Software
| Official Website =https://www.broadcom.com/
| Logo =Broadcom logo (2016-present).svg
}}
'''Broadcom Inc.''' is an American multinational designer, developer, manufacturer, and global supplier of a wide range of semiconductor and infrastructure software products. Broadcom's product offerings serve the data center, networking, software, broadband, wireless, storage, and industrial markets.

The company that would later become Broadcom Inc. was established in 1961 as HP Associates, a semiconductor products division of [[HP Inc.|Hewlett-Packard]].

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User freedom
* User privacy
* Business model
* Market control}}Numerous anti-customer/anti-competitive practices

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

==='''Anti-competitive practices investigations'''===
In January 2018, it was reported that the FTC had been investigating Broadcom for several months for engaging in anti-competitive tactics while negotiating with customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cimilluca |first=Dana |date=17 Jan 2018 |title=FTC Investigates Broadcom Over Negotiations With Customers |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ftc-investigates-broadcom-over-negotiations-with-customers-1516212396 |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> In 2021, Broadcom agreed to settle the antitrust complaint, in which the U.S. Federal Trade Commission claimed that the company abused its monopoly power using restrictive contract terms and threats of retaliation against customers the company deemed "disloyal."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Scarcella |first=Mike |date=31 Aug 2021 |title=Broadcom hires Baker Donelson team for antitrust, tech lobbying |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/broadcom-hires-baker-donelson-team-antitrust-tech-lobbying-2021-08-31/ |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

In October 2019, Broadcom was ordered by the European Commission to stop allegedly anticompetitive practices.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Michaels |first=Daniel |date=16 Oct 2019 |title=Broadcom Ordered by EU to Halt Allegedly Anticompetitive Practices |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/broadcom-ordered-by-eu-to-halt-allegedly-anticompetitive-contract-practices-11571221103 |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> In 2021, Broadcom agreed to settle the antitrust complaint which claimed it had abused its monopoly power through restrictive contract terms and threats of retaliation against non-compliant customers.<ref name=":0" /> Such contract terms are alleged to stifle innovation and harm competition in the global supply market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Presse |first=AFP - Agence France |date=12 Jul 2023 |title=EU Clears US Chipmaker Broadcom's $61 Bn VMware Takeover |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/eu-clears-us-chipmaker-broadcom-s-61-bn-vmware-takeover-20d196dc |website=Barrons}}</ref> European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said that Broadcom's contract terms with six main customers would "create serious and irreversible harm to competition" if no action were taken.<ref name=":1" /> The company agreed to a commitment to suspend agreements containing exclusivity or quasi-exclusivity arrangements and a commitment not to enter into such agreements for seven years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lomas |first=Natasha |date=7 Oct 2020 |title=European antitrust regulators settle with Broadcom a year after ‘interim measures’ flex |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/07/european-antitrust-regulators-settle-with-broadcom-a-year-after-interim-measures-flex/ |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref>

===Aquisition of [[VMWare]], ending of perpetual licenses and Cease and Desist letters/notifications to customers===
{{Main|VMware extraordinary price increase for licenses since acquisition by Broadcom}}

==See also==

* [[VMWare|VMware by Broadcom]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

VMware licensing change since acquisition by Broadcom

2025-09-06T14:28:34Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: Template the incident

List of companies

2025-09-06T14:23:38Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* B */ add broadcom

{{DISPLAYTITLE:List of Companies}}
__NOTOC__
{{Hatnote|This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items.}}

Below is a list of companies that have dedicated articles in the Consumer Rights Wiki .

===A===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ AT&T ]]

* [[ AVM Software ]]

* [[ Acer ]]

* [[ Activision Blizzard ]]

* [[ Adobe ]]

* [[ AirAsia ]]

* [[ Allstate ]]

* [[ Ally Financial ]]

* [[ Ally Invest Securities ]]

* [[ Amazon ]]

* [[ Ancestry.com ]]

* [[ Anova Culinary ]]

* [[ Apple ]]

* [[ Arlo ]]

* [[ Asus|ASUS ]]

* [[ Autodesk ]]

* [[ Axis ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===B===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ Balena ]]

* [[ BMW ]]

* [[ Brother Industries Ltd. ]]

* [[ Bambu Lab ]]

* [[ Best Buy ]]

* [[ Belkin ]]

* [[ BetterHelp ]]

* [[ BowFlex, Inc. ]]

* [[ Broadcom Inc. ]]

* [[ Brilliant ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===C===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ CARIAD ]]

* [[ Canon ]]

* [[ Capital One ]]

* [[ Cerberus ]]

* [[ Chamberlain Group ]]

* [[ Charles Schwab ]]

* [[ Chase Bank ]]

* [[ Cloudflare ]]

* [[ Coffee Meets Bagel ]]

* [[ CompTIA ]]

* [[ Cox Communications ]]

* [[ Cricut ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===D===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}

* [[ DAZN ]]

* [[ Deep Cycle Systems ]]

* [[ Discord ]]

* [[ Disney ]]

* [[ Duolingo ]]

* [[ Dymo ]]

* [[ Dyson ]]

* [[ DJI ]]{{Div col end}}
----

===E===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ Ecoflow ]]

* [[ EduVULCAN ]]

* [[ Electronic Arts ]]

* [[ Epic Games, Inc. ]]

* [[ Eufy ]]

* [[ EVGA ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===F===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ FUTO ]]

* [[ Fiio ]]

* [[ Ford ]]

* [[ Future Motion ]]

* [[ Frontier Airlines ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===G===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ GameStop ]]

* [[ General Motors ]]

* [[ Glasswire ]]

* [[ GoGuardian ]]

* [[ Google ]]

* [[ GoPro ]]

* [[ Groupon ]]

* [[ Guardzilla ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===H===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ HP Inc. ]]

* [[ Happiest Baby ]]

* [[ Home Connect ]]

* [[ Honda ]]

* [[ Hyundai ]]

* [[ Humble Bundle ]]{{Div col end}}
----

===I===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ ID.me ]]

* [[ IFTTT ]]

* [[ IKEA ]]

* [[ Intel ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===J===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ John Deere ]]
* [[ Jeep ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===K===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ Kroger Grocery store electronic shelf labels & facial recognition|Kroger ]]
* [[ Keurig ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===L===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ LG ]]

* [[ Lebara ]]

* [[ Lenovo ]]

* [[ Leo Express ]]

* [[ Lieferando ]]

* [[ LinkedIn ]]

* [[ LiveRamp ]]{{Div col end}}
----

===M===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ Magic Leap ]]

* [[ MakerBot ]]

* [[ ManyCam ]]

* [[ Meta ]]

* [[ Microsoft ]]

* [[ Miele ]]

* [[ Monoprice ]]

* [[ Motorola ]]

* [[ Movies Anywhere ]]

* [[ Mozilla ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===N===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ Nanoleaf ]]

* [[ Netflix, Inc. ]]

* [[ Nike ]]

* [[ Nintendo ]]

* [[ Nissan ]]

* [[ Nixplay ]]

* [[ NordVPN ]]

* [[ NZXT ]]

* [[ Newag ]] {{Div col end}}
----

===O===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ Optimum ]]
* [[ Optus ]]
* [[ OpenAI ]]{{Div col end}}
----

===P===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ PayPal ]]

* [[ PayPal Honey ]]

* [[ Peloton ]]

* [[ Photobucket ]]

* [[ Pitboss Grills ]]

* [[ Pluralsight ]]

* [[ Plutus ]]

* [[ Protonmail ]]

* [[ Purism ]]

* [[ Pinterest ]]{{Div col end}}

*[[Paragon_NTFS_software_license_invalidation|Paragon Software]]

----

===Q===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ Qantas ]]
* [[ Quidd ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===R===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ Raven ]]

* [[ Ring ]]

* [[ Redbox ]]

* [[ Reddit ]]

* [[ Robinhood Financial ]]

* [[ Roblox ]]

* [[ Roborock ]]

* [[ Roku, Inc. ]]

* [[ Rovio ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===S===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ Samsung ]]

* [[ Seagate ]]

* [[ Seattle Avionics ]]

* [[ SecuROM ]]

* [[ Shopee ]]

* [[ SiriusXM ]]

* [[ Smartwool ]]

* [[ Sonos ]]

* [[ Sony ]]

* [[ Spectrum ]]

* [[ Spotify ]]

* [[ Starlink ]]

* [[ Steam ]]

* [[ Synology ]]
{{Div col end}}

----

===T===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ T-Mobile ]]

* [[ Tado ]]

* [[ TD Ameritrade ]]

* [[ TP-Link ]]

* [[ User testing for mandatory paid subscription into Tado Smart Thermostat app|Tado GmbH ]]

* [[ Take Two ]]

* [[ Tea Dating Advice ]]

* [[ Team 17 ]]

* [[ Telstra ]]

* [[ Telly ]]

* [[ Terumo Cardiovascular ]]

* [[ Tesla, Inc. ]]

* [[ Thermaltake ]]

* [[ Ticketmaster Entertainment, LLC ]]

* [[ Tinder ]]

* [[ TRMNL ]]

* [[ Trump Mobile ]]

* [[ Toyota ]]

* [[ Tuya Inc. ]]

* [[ Twitch ]]

* [[ Twitter ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===U===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ Uber ]]

* [[ Ubisoft ]]

* [[ Urban Air Adventure Park ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===V===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ Valve ]]

* [[ Verisk Analytics, Inc. ]]

* [[ Virgin Media ]]

* [[ Volkswagen ]]

* [[ Vultr ]]

* [[ Venmo ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===W===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ Walmart ]]

* [[ Wink ]]

* [[ Winston-Salem Journal ]]

* [[ Wondershare ]]

* [[ Wyze ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===X===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ X Corp ]]

* [[ Xiaomi ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===Y===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em|gap=2em}}
* [[ YouTube ]]
{{Div col end}}
----

===Z===

*[[Zyxel]]<br />

----
[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Organizations]]

Talk:VMware

2025-09-06T13:36:14Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Request for extensive research by this community */ new section

== Request for extensive research by this community ==

Hi everyone, I need your help with a legal issue, time is of the essence here.

I work in the public sector in Europe, and the price increase of VMware since the Broadcom takeover is a disaster for the budgets of the sector.

So I kindly ask all of you, that are willing, to extend this page with worldwide evidence that the price increase is not legal, and add instances where courts have ruled against Broadcom.

That way, I know the arguments that can be used in the American legal system, as well as the legal action that can be taken in Europe.

It could lead to a video covering this matter: as of today I personally know institutions that suddenly need to be paying extra figures that go into the millions of euros/dollars.

Any help is helpful, because let's be realistic: moving large institutions to open-source solutions like Proxmox are not realistic on a small time scale.

The public sector is already under a lot of pressure where I live, so any help against this helps. [[User:InTransparencyWeTrust|InTransparencyWeTrust]] ([[User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust|talk]]) 13:36, 6 September 2025 (UTC)

User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust

2025-08-16T13:29:52Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Cyber truck article */ Reply

==Categorization==

Hi! Thank you for your contributions to the wiki. You've been doing a good job cleaning things up.

I noticed that you changed a few things related to categories. Before you continue doing a ton of work on the categories, I should inform you that the admin team has established a system (documented at [[Categorization]]) and that I will soon be mass modifying pages to conform to this system, which might invalidate any work that you continue to do.

Again, I appreciate all of the work that you've done :) [[User:Waldo|Waldo]] ([[User talk:Waldo|talk]]) 10:27, 8 February 2025 (UTC)

:Thank you, and yes I am aware of that this system is in place, so I try to keep changes minimal ;)
:The changes that I do make is to give a better overview of the articles that are present, for instance what I recently completed with the [[Motorola]] article together with the [[Xiaomi]] article. [[User:InTransparencyWeTrust|InTransparencyWeTrust]] ([[User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust|talk]]) 10:32, 8 February 2025 (UTC)
::Gotcha, I'm glad we're on the same page :) [[User:Waldo|Waldo]] ([[User talk:Waldo|talk]]) 19:40, 8 February 2025 (UTC)

==Valve/steam==

Thanks for the ping, I deleted the extra article. [[User:Kostas|Kostas]] ([[User talk:Kostas|talk]]) 19:41, 22 February 2025 (UTC)

:Thank you, I also suggested some other articles to be deleted on your discussion page [[User:InTransparencyWeTrust|InTransparencyWeTrust]] ([[User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust|talk]]) 19:47, 22 February 2025 (UTC)
::Ah, I opened that at some point and forgot. I will take a look, thanks for the reminder. Either way we are trying to go through them periodically so any articles added to the category should be taken care of soon. Btw are you a member of the discord? [[User:Kostas|Kostas]] ([[User talk:Kostas|talk]]) 19:58, 22 February 2025 (UTC)
:::No not a member of it currently. Figured to just collaborate with the talk pages, so that the communication is open to everyone who visits the wiki [[User:InTransparencyWeTrust|InTransparencyWeTrust]] ([[User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust|talk]]) 20:07, 22 February 2025 (UTC)
::::Sounds good, I just wanted to make sure you had the wiki contributor role if you were on there as you have been doing a lot of work on the wiki. [[User:Kostas|Kostas]] ([[User talk:Kostas|talk]]) 20:29, 22 February 2025 (UTC)

==Country articles==

Hi, I've been looking over the United Kingdom article that popped up, and have been considering its role, or the role of articles like it, on the wiki. In my view, as we already accept the inclusion of agencies such as the FCC or other legislative/public bodies which have an influence on how consumer protections are defined or enforced, it might be appropriate to have an article titled 'Government of the United kingdom' (and other similar articles, perhaps the US might have federal and state ones) as an article for things about decisions directly taken by the UK govt (e.g. a link to the page for the apple icloud thing, but probably not that one about the guy at the airport as that's more of a civil rights thing than a consumer rights thing). This could potentially act as a hub for other UK government consumer organisations e.g. the CMA, as well as discussing legislation passed and actions taken by the UK government which relate to consumer protection. It would fit in as a tier 2 'entity' article.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this? [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 15:24, 4 March 2025 (UTC)

:Articles about legislation in countries are more than welcome, that is also where the [[:Category:Legislation|legislation category]] is for. For now I do not see the need to create country legislation articles, as there are not enough articles to back those up yet. I was quite strict on the creation of the country pages, as they invited a lot of content unrelated to the wiki, so that is why articles on consumer protection agencies and initiatives are much more preferred than generic country articles. But I do get the point of collecting legislation regions are subject to, that is also why I started on creating region categories for legislation. [[User:InTransparencyWeTrust|InTransparencyWeTrust]] ([[User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust|talk]]) 17:21, 4 March 2025 (UTC)

==Contacting about a potentual post i am unsure if i should add?==

Hello, i hope who ever reads this is well and doing well.

There is a potential legal matter i wish to raise about a certification company and would like to know how i can speak with some one privity and securely on the matter?

Background:

It involves disability discrimination related to physical disabilities and testing towards sold study and certification pacck to me with statement of support, but two years of run around with none provided since 2023. I am unsure if posting this here is appropriate, and as such i was hoping to speak with a moderator on the matter privately first to remain anonymous, and sanity check my best course of action before i post something that could hurt my potential case towards holding said company liable.

Please let me know whats possible, and thank you in advance. [[User:Snider4881|Snider4881]] ([[User talk:Snider4881|talk]]) 21:03, 25 March 2025 (UTC)

:Hello, thanks for reaching out and feel free to reach out to one of the moderators, as you want to speak to someone in private. You can see the list of them here: [https://wiki.rossmanngroup.com/wiki/Special:ListUsers?username=&group=sysop&wpsubmit=&wpFormIdentifier=mw-listusers-form&limit=1000 (list of moderators)] [[User:InTransparencyWeTrust|InTransparencyWeTrust]] ([[User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust|talk]]) 13:37, 3 April 2025 (UTC)

==Cyber truck article==

Hello! I’m a little skeptical about [[Tesla_shuts_down_car_on_the_middle_of_the_highway_over_legal_dispute_with_the_owner|this article you made]], as many people think the cyber truck incident is a publicity stunt for the rapper and his new song. https://www.reddit.com/r/CyberStuck/comments/1mmbq9w/comment/n7x66rd/ [[User:Mr Pollo|Mr Pollo]] ([[User talk:Mr Pollo|talk]]) 22:53, 11 August 2025 (UTC)

:Hi, that makes more sense; and also condemning this "stunt". Included it just for the case it would be real, you never know, America right, but yeah good that this is not real. Thank you for deleting the article, putting it right next to the artist in the trash bin. [[User:InTransparencyWeTrust|InTransparencyWeTrust]] ([[User talk:InTransparencyWeTrust|talk]]) 13:29, 16 August 2025 (UTC)

EA requires Battlefield 6 players to change motherboard settings

2025-08-06T12:49:12Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: Add ongoing event notice

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=EA
|Status=Active
|Product=Battlefield 6
|ArticleType=Product
}}{{OngoingEvent}}

[[Electronic Arts]] (EA) started testing their upcoming video game Battlefield 6 in August 2025. Like the other video game titles EA now releases, Battlefield 6 runs [[EA moves to in-house kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase|EA's own anti-cheat system]] and requires the use of Secure Boot along with a [[wikipedia:Trusted_Platform_Module|TPM 2.0 chip]] and that the storage disk partitions information is formatted with [[wikipedia:GUID_Partition_Table|GPT]] and not [[wikipedia:Master_boot_record|MBR]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-01 |title=How to use Secure Boot on your PC |url=https://help.ea.com/en/articles/technical-issues/secure-boot/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=EA Help}}</ref>

These strict technically detailed requirements caused frustration among computer users.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=Secure Boot Megathread - Guide + Community support |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Battlefield/comments/1miaynl/secure_boot_megathread_guide_community_support/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-04 |title=Secure boot |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Battlefield/comments/1mhodty/secure_boot/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=Reddit}}</ref> As the game is an open beta there can still be changes to this system. Currently the game is unplayable on the [[wikipedia:Steam_Deck|Steam Deck]] and on [[wikipedia:Linux|Linux systems]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=@TECC |date=2025-08-06 |title=#EA has confirmed that #Battlefield 6 will be completely unplayable on #Linux systems, including #SteamDeck, due to its new kernel-level anti-cheat system, “EA Javelin,” which explicitly blocks Linux. |url=https://social.tchncs.de/@73CC/114981363363168732 |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=Mastodon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Klotz |first=Aaron |date=2025-08-02 |title=Battlefield 6's Javelin anti-cheat Secure Boot requirement could kill its Steam Deck support |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/battlefield-6s-javelin-anti-cheat-secure-boot-requirement-could-kill-its-steam-deck-support |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Tom's Hardware}}</ref> According to an open beta tester by the name TECC, it appears that these requirements are for the entire game, not just for multiplayer but also for the singleplayer option of the game and the private servers for multiplayer.<ref name=":0" /> They point out that EA uses open source tools for their game (Godot game engine<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodchild |first=Wayne |date=2025-08-01 |title=EA Lets Players Blow Things Up Real Good in Battlefield 6 (And Use Godot to Edit Maps) |url=https://www.eneba.com/hub/news/blow-things-up-real-good-in-battlefield-6-and-use-godot-to-edit-maps/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Eneba Hub}}</ref>), but makes the game unplayable on systems built by open source software, which are the Linux systems in this case.

==Battlefield 6 requirements==
===EA's response===
There has not been a response yet, as the event was recent at the time of writing the article.

==Consumer response==

Generally people are dissatisfied with these requirements, as it makes older pc hardware obsolete to playing this game.
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:EA Anti-cheat]]
[[Category:Battlefield 6]]

Electronic Arts

2025-08-06T12:44:07Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Incidents */ Add Battlefield 6 open beta

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Electronic Arts
| Type = Public
| Founded = 1982
| Industry = Video Games
| Official Website = https://ea.com/
| Logo = Electronic Arts.png
}}[[wikipedia:Electronic_Arts|'''Electronic Arts''']] ('''EA''') is a former video-game developer and now publisher founded in 1982 by Trip Hawkins. It is well known for its simulator titles under the ''Sim'' series (''The Sims,'' ''SimCity,'' ''MySims,'' etc.), titles published under its EA Sports division (''Madden,'' ''FIFA,'' etc.), and its ''Battlefield'' series.

EA has received criticism for its reliance on microtransactions, its focus on [[downloadable content]] (DLC), and other business practices that both consumers and the media perceive as excessively unfavorable predatory and anti-consumer.

==Consumer impact summary==

*User freedom: limited; removed capability to play games on 32-bit systems via Origin, extensive abuse of DRM ([[SecuROM]], [[Denuvo]]), monopolization of game genres, orphaned content/game licenses, and more.
*User privacy: questionable; uses kernel-level anti-cheat in many games,<ref>{{Cite web |last=SEgopher |date=Sep 15, 2022 |title=The insanity of EA's anti-cheat system by a Kernel Dev |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/xf1cwr/the_insanity_of_eas_anticheat_system_by_a_kernel/ |access-date=Jun 1, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> DRM abuse, considerations for advertisements in games.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=May 10, 2024 |title=EA is prototyping in-game ads even as we speak |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/10/24153809/ea-in-game-ads-redux |access-date=Jun 1, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref>
*Business model: Game sales, [[microtransactions]], DLC, [[Non-fungible tokens|NFTs]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Colp |first=Tyler |date=Nov 3, 2021 |title=EA calls NFT and blockchain games 'the future of our industry' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/ea-calls-nft-and-blockchain-games-the-future-of-our-industry/ |access-date=Jun 1, 2025 |work=PC Gamer}}</ref>
*Market competition: Extensive; [[Nintendo]], [[Microsoft]]/[[Xbox]], [[Ubisoft]], [[Valve]]

Though EA did something right by [[EA releases source code of classic command and conquer titles|open-sourcing older Command & Conquer games]] in 2025, the company continues to have a history of putting profits ahead of player experience continues to dismantle consumer trust.

==Incidents==

===Origin shutdown===
On April 17, 2025, EA shut down the Origin client,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Will |title=EA is ditching Origin, which means you could lose access to your games |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/the-sims-4/ea-origin-shut-down |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=PCGamesN}}</ref> which was the final option for 32-bit hardware to run EA-published titles. While most consumers have already switched to using 64-bit hardware, the [[end-of-life]] of 32-bit support means that vintage enthusiasts, tech historians, and users who previously did not need to upgrade their 32-bit hardware are unable to either install or run the libraries that they paid for.

===Lootboxes===
{{Hatnote|See also: [[EA lootbox controversies]], [[Microtransactions]]}}

Multiple games published by EA in recent years have garnered significant controversy over what is essentially legal gambling. This is most commonly seen in EA sports titles and their "''Ultimate Team''" modes, which has players using in-game currency that can be purchased with real-world money to buy card packs, in order to potentially get high-value player cards. This monetization method, considered by many to be "predatory", most notably introduced controversy within the modern release of ''Star Wars Battlefront 2'', wherein the most powerful character in-game, Darth Vader, could only be obtained through this lootbox system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dingman |first=Hayden |date=10 Oct 2017 |title=How loot boxes are turning full-priced PC games into pay-to-win games of chance |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/407482/loot-boxes-ruining-gaming.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=PCWorld}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=10 Oct 2017 |title=Star Wars Battlefront 2 has a loot crate problem |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/star-wars-battlefront-2-has-a-loot-crate-problem |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Robert Purchese}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fahey |first=Rob |date=13 Oct 2017 |title=Thinking outside the loot box |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/thinking-outside-the-loot-box |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Games Industry}}</ref> It was not until several weeks after the backlash that EA would tone down these lootboxes by changing loot pools.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=1 Nov 2017 |title=Star Wars: Battlefront II changes its loot box plans… but is it enough? |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/10/star-wars-battlefront-ii-changes-its-loot-box-plans-but-is-it-enough/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=ArsTechnica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=James |date=13 Oct 2017 |title=After beta controversy, DICE has better clarified the 'loot crate' and progression systems in Star Wars Battlefront 2 |url=https://www.vg247.com/after-beta-controversy-dice-has-better-clarified-the-loot-crate-system-in-the-final-version-of-star-wars-battlefront-2 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=VG247}}</ref> Lootboxes remained within the title until ''[[Disney]]'' directly instructed EA to stop because of gambling concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Needleman |first=Sarah E. |last2=Fritz |first2=Ben |date=17 Nov 2017 |title=Electronic Arts Pulls Microtransactions From ‘Star Wars Battlefront II’ After Fan Backlash |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/electronic-arts-pulls-microtransactions-from-star-wars-battlefront-ii-after-fan-backlash-1510936871 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> 

===DRM===
EA holds the record for most pirated game with the title ''[[Spore]],'' which was directly because of EA's use of ''[[SecuROM]]'', and was one of the earlier known titles to introduce always-online [[digital rights management]] (DRM).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Modern Vintage Gamer |date=25 Nov 2019 |title=SecuROM - The PC CD-ROM DRM that broke games {{!}} MVG |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8ltfyqD3lM |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Some releases of ''Mass Effect'' also used ''[[SecuROM]]'', and would instill excessive limits, such as a three-install limit that both could not be refunded by uninstalling and could only be increased through customer-service calls, and a recurring-validation system that required that the game have its activation code run every 10 days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=8 May 2008 |title=Mass Effect, Spore To Use Recurring Validation |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/Mass-Effect-Spore-To-Use-Recurring-Validation/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=The Escapist}}</ref> While its use of SecuROM died off in the mid-2010s, the company merely switched to DRM that has been far worse for consumers, [[Denuvo]]. One significant EA title that has used this DRM is ''Star Wars: Jedi Survivor.'' 

===''Spore''===
{{Hatnote|Further reading: ''[[Spore (game)]]''}}

''Spore'' retains a historical 1.7+ million pirated copies,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Molina |first=Andres |date=21 Jun 2024 |title=How many times was Spore pirated? |url=https://www.ncesc.com/gaming-pedia/how-many-times-was-spore-pirated/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=ncesc.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Van der Sar |first=Ernesto |date=13 Sep 2008 |title=Spore: Most Pirated Game Ever Thanks to DRM |url=https://torrentfreak.com/spore-most-pirated-game-ever-thanks-to-drm-080913/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=TorrentFreak}}</ref> directly related to EA's use of [[SecuROM]].<ref name=":0" /> In more recent years, ''Spore'''s server access was locked down to EA accounts,<ref name=":1">[https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=582350678 How to Connect to Spore Servers (Steam/GOG/EA App)]</ref> mostly thanks to a free [[Steam]] key exploit. This has led to various problems for legitimate consumers who merely wanted to play the iconic game and its sibling ''Darkspore,'' since according to guides,<ref name=":1" /> users could only have a singular install of the game on any device, were required to have an EA account using an alphanumeric password, and needed a CD key to redeem on the user's EA account.<ref>[https://support.gog.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002333209-Spore-How-to-get-access-to-online-features?product=gog Spore - How to get access to online features]</ref> This has brought concern among the community, leading to community-developed tools to circumvent these server problems.<ref>[https://sporecommunity.com/ Spore Community Hub]</ref>

===License exclusivity===
With various [[Intellectual property|intellectual properties]], from ''Star Wars''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dolen |first=Rob |date=15 Jan 2021 |title=EA No Longer Has Exclusive Rights to Star Wars, But Is It Too Late? |url=https://gamerant.com/ea-no-longer-star-wars-exclusive-publisher-lucasfilm-games-ubisoft-bethesda/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Game Rant}}</ref> to the NFL, EA has forced its way into holding what is essentially an artificial monopoly over large genres and major IP of the industry. Its exclusive licenses with various football organizations, such as the AFL and NFL, has resulted in an antitrust lawsuit against it.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20110510050257/http://www.aolcdn.com/tmz_documents/0611_nfl_ea_wm.pdf</ref> This lawsuit ended in a $600K settlement, but did not resolve the primary problems caused by EA's exclusive deals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kuchera |first=Ben |date=13 Jun 2008 |title=Lawsuit flags EA for illegal procedure on football monopoly |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2008/06/lawsuit-flags-ea-for-illegal-procedure-on-football-monopoly/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=ArsTechnica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kravets |first=David |date=28 Jun 2016 |title=EA punts, gives $600k to former football star in Madden NFL rights flap |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/06/ea-punts-gives-600k-to-former-football-star-in-madden-nfl-rights-flap/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=ArsTechnica}}</ref> NCAA players brought additional lawsuits against EA, alleging that it was not authorized to use their likeness in its games. These suits were also settled out of court.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eder |first=Steve |date=26 Sep 2016 |title=E.A. Sports Settles Lawsuit With College Athletes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/27/sports/ncaafootball/ea-sports-wont-make-college-video-game-in-2014.html?_r=0 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/dennis-dodd/23859858/ea-sports-settles-likeness-suits-thousands-of-current-former-players-eligible-for-money</ref>

===Buyouts and closures===
In order for EA to hold its high position, it has been known to buy out its competition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stebbins |first=Samuel |last2=Comen |first2=Evan |last3=Sauter |first3=Michael B. |last4=Stockdale |first4=Charles |date=1 Feb 2018 |title=Bad reputation: America’s Top 20 most-hated companies |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2018/02/01/bad-reputation-americas-top-20-most-hated-companies/1058718001/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230013406/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2018/02/01/bad-reputation-americas-top-20-most-hated-companies/1058718001/ |archive-date=30 Dec 2019 |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Usa Today}}</ref> Often, this has led to the detriment of the companies they buy out,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hsu |first=Tiffany |date=4 Apr 2012 |title=Electronic Arts: ‘Worst company in America’? Consumerist says yes |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-apr-04-la-fi-mo-electronic-arts-worst-company-consumerist-20120404-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> and by extension, the media which they release. A historical example, Westwood Studios, which pioneered the RTS genre with the ''Command & Conquer'' series, was shut down about five years after its purchase by EA, and its notable franchise was left abandoned years later, with entries either delisted or broken after GameSpy-based DRM were broken circa 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maiberg |first=Emanuel |date=8 Apr 2014 |title=Reddit compiles terrifying list of games affected by GameSpy shutdown |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/reddit-compiles-terrifying-list-of-games-affected-by-gamespy-shutdown/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=PCGamer}}</ref> While its habit of buying and closing studios has thinned since 2008, it similarly closed Visceral Games, the developer of ''Dead Space,'' in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fingas |first=Jon |date=18 Oct 2017 |title=EA shuts down the studio behind 'Dead Space' |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017-10-17-ea-shuts-down-visceral-games.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=endgadget}}</ref>

===Switching to in-house kernel-level anti-cheat after purchase===
{{Main|EA moves to in-house kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase}}

EA has implemented a change to the anti-cheat of several games after release including: EA SPORTS WRC, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2, Battlefield 2042, Battlefield V, and Battlefield 1. This change breaks the ability to play the game, even after purchase, on older [[Windows]] versions and alternative operating systems to Windows including Linux and SteamOS. EA refuses to give you a refund for these games.

===Shutting down Anthem===
{{Main|Anthem}}
On July 3, 2025, EA announced that Anthem's servers would be shut down on January 12, 2026.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-03 |title=Anthem Game Update |url=https://www.ea.com/games/anthem/news/anthem-game-update |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250704091220/https://www.ea.com/games/anthem/news/anthem-game-update |archive-date=2025-07-04 |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=EA}}</ref> As the title is exclusively online-only, the closure of the servers renders the game unplayable, even offline.<ref name=":02" />

=== Battlefield 6 ===
{{Main|EA requires open beta players of battlefield 6 to change their motherboard bios settings}}
The open beta of Battlefield 6 imposes strict requirements on the computer hardware people use to play the game, which caused discontent among the player base.

==Positive incidents==

===Release of Command & Conquer source code (2025)===
{{Main|EA releases source code of classic command and conquer titles}}
In February 2025, EA worked with C&C community members to open source four Command & Conquer games under the GPL license, in a move widely celebrated by the gaming community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Feb 2025 |title=EA Open Sources Command and Conquer: Red Alert, along with other games |url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43197131 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=HackerNews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rudra |first=Sourav |date=28 Feb 2025 |title=Unbelievable! EA Open Sources 4 Command & Conquer Games |url=https://news.itsfoss.com/ea-open-source-cc-games/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=It's FOSS News}}</ref> Despite this good measure, the only content available to consumers via these repositories is exclusively the code, and the only way to compile the source code continues to require ownership of a copy of Command & Conquer, meaning once users cannot purchase any Command & Conquer game, this source code repository is effectively useless.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

EA requires Battlefield 6 players to change motherboard settings

2025-08-06T12:41:01Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: Initial writing of the article

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=EA
|Status=Active
|Product=Battlefield 6
|ArticleType=Product
}}

[[Electronic Arts]] (EA) started testing their upcoming video game Battlefield 6 in August 2025. Like the other video game titles EA now releases, Battlefield 6 runs [[EA moves to in-house kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase|EA's own anti-cheat system]] and requires the use of Secure Boot along with a [[wikipedia:Trusted_Platform_Module|TPM 2.0 chip]] and that the storage disk partitions information is formatted with [[wikipedia:GUID_Partition_Table|GPT]] and not [[wikipedia:Master_boot_record|MBR]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-01 |title=How to use Secure Boot on your PC |url=https://help.ea.com/en/articles/technical-issues/secure-boot/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=EA Help}}</ref>

These strict technically detailed requirements caused frustration among computer users.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=Secure Boot Megathread - Guide + Community support |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Battlefield/comments/1miaynl/secure_boot_megathread_guide_community_support/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-04 |title=Secure boot |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Battlefield/comments/1mhodty/secure_boot/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=Reddit}}</ref> As the game is an open beta there can still be changes to this system. Currently the game is unplayable on the [[wikipedia:Steam_Deck|Steam Deck]] and on [[wikipedia:Linux|Linux systems]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=@TECC |date=2025-08-06 |title=#EA has confirmed that #Battlefield 6 will be completely unplayable on #Linux systems, including #SteamDeck, due to its new kernel-level anti-cheat system, “EA Javelin,” which explicitly blocks Linux. |url=https://social.tchncs.de/@73CC/114981363363168732 |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=Mastodon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Klotz |first=Aaron |date=2025-08-02 |title=Battlefield 6's Javelin anti-cheat Secure Boot requirement could kill its Steam Deck support |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/battlefield-6s-javelin-anti-cheat-secure-boot-requirement-could-kill-its-steam-deck-support |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Tom's Hardware}}</ref> According to an open beta tester by the name TECC, it appears that these requirements are for the entire game, not just for multiplayer but also for the singleplayer option of the game and the private servers for multiplayer.<ref name=":0" /> They point out that EA uses open source tools for their game (Godot game engine<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodchild |first=Wayne |date=2025-08-01 |title=EA Lets Players Blow Things Up Real Good in Battlefield 6 (And Use Godot to Edit Maps) |url=https://www.eneba.com/hub/news/blow-things-up-real-good-in-battlefield-6-and-use-godot-to-edit-maps/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Eneba Hub}}</ref>), but makes the game unplayable on systems built by open source software, which are the Linux systems in this case.

==Battlefield 6 requirements==
===EA's response===
There has not been a response yet, as the event was recent at the time of writing the article.

==Consumer response==

Generally people are dissatisfied with these requirements, as it makes older pc hardware obsolete to playing this game.
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:EA Anti-cheat]]
[[Category:Battlefield 6]]

Category:Battlefield 6

2025-08-06T12:13:07Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: Create product category

[[Category:Electronic Arts]]
[[Category:Video games]]

EA requires Battlefield 6 players to change motherboard settings

2025-08-06T12:12:20Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: categorize article

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=EA
|Status=Active
|Product=Battlefield 6
|ArticleType=Product
}}
{{Ph-I-Int}}

<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=Secure Boot Megathread - Guide + Community support |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Battlefield/comments/1miaynl/secure_boot_megathread_guide_community_support/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-04 |title=Secure boot |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Battlefield/comments/1mhodty/secure_boot/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodchild |first=Wayne |date=2025-08-01 |title=EA Lets Players Blow Things Up Real Good in Battlefield 6 (And Use Godot to Edit Maps) |url=https://www.eneba.com/hub/news/blow-things-up-real-good-in-battlefield-6-and-use-godot-to-edit-maps/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Eneba Hub}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Klotz |first=Aaron |date=2025-08-02 |title=Battlefield 6's Javelin anti-cheat Secure Boot requirement could kill its Steam Deck support |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/battlefield-6s-javelin-anti-cheat-secure-boot-requirement-could-kill-its-steam-deck-support |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Tom's Hardware}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@TECC |date=2025-08-06 |title=#EA has confirmed that #Battlefield 6 will be completely unplayable on #Linux systems, including #SteamDeck, due to its new kernel-level anti-cheat system, “EA Javelin,” which explicitly blocks Linux. |url=https://social.tchncs.de/@73CC/114981363363168732 |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=Mastodon}}</ref>

==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuit==
{{Ph-I-L}}

==Consumer response==
{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:EA Anti-cheat]]
[[Category:Battlefield 6]]

EA requires Battlefield 6 players to change motherboard settings

2025-08-06T12:10:21Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: Add sources to this incident

EA requires Battlefield 6 players to change motherboard settings

2025-08-06T12:03:39Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: Template the incident

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=EA
|Status=Active
|Product=Battlefield 6
|ArticleType=Product
}}
{{Ph-I-Int}}
==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuit==
{{Ph-I-L}}

==Consumer response==
{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Groupon

2025-07-17T10:13:44Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Incidents */ Expand unclear consumer rights and procedures with 2021 case

{{StubNotice}}

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Groupon
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2008
| Industry = eCommerce
| Official Website = https://groupon.com/
| Logo = Groupon.png
}}

'''[[Wikipedia:Groupon|Groupon, Inc.]]''' is an American global [[e-commerce]] marketplace connecting subscribers with local merchants by offering activities, travel, goods and services in 13
countries.<ref>[https://innovation-village.com/groupon-closes-shop-south-africa-part-strategic-re-alignment/ "Groupon closes shop in South Africa as part of strategic re-alignment"] - innovation-village.com - 2016-11-04 - accessed 2025-01-30</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User freedom
* User privacy
* Business model
* Market control}}

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:Groupon|Groupon category]].

===Accounting scandal (''2011'')===
In 2011, Groupon faced coverage for giving $810 million of the acquired $946 million to early investors of the company, including the founder Andrew Mason with $28 million and co-founder Eric Lefkosky with $381 million.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/walterpavlo/2012/04/03/groupon-accounting-scandal-and-were-surprised/ "Groupon Accounting Scandal, and We're Surprised?"] - forbes.com - 2014-04-03 - accessed 2025-01-30</ref> This left $136 million for company expenses.

===Unclear consumer rights and procedures (''2013-'')===
In 2013, the Consumer Authority of the Netherlands shared that Groupon signed an enforcement agreement to defining their role as a company more clearly in the Netherlands.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Consumentenautoriteit |date=2013-02-19 |title=Groupon gaat consumenten duidelijker informeren |trans-title=Groupon will inform consumers more clearly |url=https://www.acm.nl/nl/publicaties/publicatie/11168/Groupon-gaat-consumenten-duidelijker-informeren |website=ACM (Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets) |language=nl}}</ref> Customers filed complaints that they were not clearly informed on the responsibilities of Groupon to their customers, nor where customers could ask questions or file complaints.<ref name=":0" /> The background information of the enforcement agreement also mentions that customers did not know who to contact if their discount codes were not properly redeemed, or where to send their products within the return period.<ref name=":0" />

In 2021, Groupon faced the threat of legal action by the UK's competition watchdog over multiple concerns (redeeming vouchers, quality, no return of payment and just offering "credits").<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 Aug 2021 |title=Groupon told to improve how it treats customers |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58145635 |work=BBC}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Placeholder box|Link to relevant theme articles or companies with similar incidents.}}

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Groupon]]

Groupon

2025-07-17T09:51:40Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: /* Incidents */ Add unclear consumer rights and procedures incident

{{StubNotice}}

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Groupon
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2008
| Industry = eCommerce
| Official Website = https://groupon.com/
| Logo = Groupon.png
}}

'''[[Wikipedia:Groupon|Groupon, Inc.]]''' is an American global [[e-commerce]] marketplace connecting subscribers with local merchants by offering activities, travel, goods and services in 13
countries.<ref>[https://innovation-village.com/groupon-closes-shop-south-africa-part-strategic-re-alignment/ "Groupon closes shop in South Africa as part of strategic re-alignment"] - innovation-village.com - 2016-11-04 - accessed 2025-01-30</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User freedom
* User privacy
* Business model
* Market control}}

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:Groupon|Groupon category]].

===Accounting scandal (''2011'')===
In 2011, Groupon faced coverage for giving $810 million of the acquired $946 million to early investors of the company, including the founder Andrew Mason with $28 million and co-founder Eric Lefkosky with $381 million.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/walterpavlo/2012/04/03/groupon-accounting-scandal-and-were-surprised/ "Groupon Accounting Scandal, and We're Surprised?"] - forbes.com - 2014-04-03 - accessed 2025-01-30</ref> This left $136 million for company expenses.

===Unclear consumer rights and procedures (2013)===
In 2013, the Consumer Authority of the Netherlands shared that Groupon signed an enforcement agreement to defining their role as a company more clearly in the Netherlands.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Consumentenautoriteit |date=2013-02-19 |title=Groupon gaat consumenten duidelijker informeren |trans-title=Groupon will inform consumers more clearly |url=https://www.acm.nl/nl/publicaties/publicatie/11168/Groupon-gaat-consumenten-duidelijker-informeren |website=ACM (Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets) |language=nl}}</ref> Customers filed complaints that they were not clearly informed on the responsibilities of Groupon to their customers, nor where customers could ask questions or file complaints.<ref name=":0" />

==See also==
{{Placeholder box|Link to relevant theme articles or companies with similar incidents.}}

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Groupon]]

Groupon

2025-07-17T09:01:12Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: Apply company template

Category:CS1 norsk-language sources (no)

2025-07-17T08:39:43Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: add to language sources overview

__HIDDENCAT__

IPhone 6 error 53 fingerprint sensor incident

2025-07-17T08:07:09Z

InTransparencyWeTrust:

When switching from iOS major version 8 to 9, [[IPhones|iPhone]] 6 users, who chose to replace their fingerprint sensor with another one before the update, had their phones bricked<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Miles |first=Brignall |date=2016-02-05 |title=‘Error 53’ fury mounts as Apple software update threatens to kill your iPhone 6 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/feb/05/error-53-apple-iphone-software-update-handset-worthless-third-party-repair |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205081456/https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/feb/05/error-53-apple-iphone-software-update-handset-worthless-third-party-repair |archive-date=2016-02-05 |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=‘Error 53’ fury mounts as Apple software update threatens to kill your iPhone 6 {{!}} Mobile phones {{!}} The Guardian}}</ref>.

==Background==
[[Apple]] is known for it's anti-consumer practices regarding repairability, including a more recent "Unknown Part"<ref>https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254475434?sortBy=rank</ref> notification in the "Settings" App, that is inserted on newer devices, when detecting a battery that was installed, not using means only available to their own official repair facilities. The incident discussed here ranks into just another incident, which was interpreted as deliberate practice when it originally happened

==The fingerprint sensor incident==
Upon updating from iOS 8 to 9, with a not-originally-built-in fingerprint sensor installed, the iPhone 6 would be "permanently disabled"<ref name=":0" />, even if it worked perfectly fine before the update and with said fingerprint sensor. After a "fix" of the issue, offered by Apple, the phone's fingerprint sensor was disabled.

===Apple's response===

At 2:19 p.m. ET on 2/18/2016, Apple has responded to a request from TechCrunch with this statement: "This was designed to be a factory test and was not intended to affect customers,"<ref>https://techcrunch.com/2016/02/18/apple-apologizes-and-updates-ios-to-restore-iphones-disabled-by-error-53/</ref>. The issue of the phone being unusable was fixed later<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiens |first=Kyle |date=2016-02-18 |title=Confirmed: Apple’s Error 53 Fix Works |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/7924/error-53-fix |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420200715/https://www.ifixit.com/News/7924/error-53-fix |archive-date=2020-04-20 |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=Confirmed: Apple’s Error 53 Fix Works - iFixit}}</ref>, however the fingerprint sensor was disabled by said fix.

==Lawsuit==

None are known of to the original author of this article.
==Consumer response==

Consumers were very annoyed<ref>https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7463710?sortBy=rank</ref> and had to spend their costly time and money to have a phone repaired at an additional cost for the fingerprint sensor to function again, which they did not foresee to pay. Essentially, after being robbed of an advertised functionality, they had to pay the perpetrator to get that functionality back.
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Apple IPhones]]

WeTransfer

2025-07-15T14:11:55Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: Add recent terms of service incident

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = {{PAGENAME}}
| Type =Private
| Founded =2009
| Industry =Software
| Official Website =https://www.wetransfer.com
| Logo =WeTransfer logo.svg.png
}}[[wikipedia:WeTransfer|'''WeTransfer''']] is a cloud-based file transfer service that allows users to upload files through their website and then either gives them a link directly or to send an e-mail to the recipient with a download link. If sent through e-mail, the sender could be notified when their files were downloaded.

Initially, the website was primarily ad-financed and required no registration. The free tier had a 2GB limit on the file size and links would expire after a week. Both limitations could be lifted by going to a paid plan for the service.

In 2024, the company was sold to Italian tech company Bending Spoons, which at that point already had a questionable reputation for changing the business model of iPhone camera app FiLMiC Pro after taking it over. Similar changes aimed at maximizing profit were introduced to WeTransfer, and it was announced that the majory of the existing staff would be laid off.

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User freedom
* User privacy
* Business model
* Market control}}

==Privacy Concerns==
Uploading files to a company unencrypted poses a variety of dangers of these documents leaking or being misused. Employees of companies might try to use services they know from home use and try to send confidential information through such channels.

This can be circumvented by putting the files to be sent into a ZIP file protected by a strong password first before uploading the file and then sending the passwort through an unrelated channel, such as a messenger chat.

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Forced app usage on mobile (201?)===
At some point WeTransfer started to block use of the website on mobile devices, making it impossible to upload or download files, directing users to download the app instead. Aside from the usual app overload concerns, the app was focussed around some sort of collages, this was perceived as annoying by many users.

This restriction can be circumvented by using the "Load Desktop Website" option in the web browser of the phone.

===Data Breach (2019)===
Some files were sent to the wrong recipients.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abrams |first=Lawrence |date=2019-06-21 |title=WeTransfer Security Incident Sent Files to the Wrong People |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/wetransfer-security-incident-sent-files-to-the-wrong-people/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034757/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/wetransfer-security-incident-sent-files-to-the-wrong-people/ |archive-date=2020-11-12 |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Bleeping Computer}}</ref>
===Business Model Changes (''2024'')===
In 2024, Bending Spoons made changes that changed the business model for the worse. Uploads were no longer possible without registering an account, the number of transfers per month and the storage duration of the free tier were reduced significantly.

=== Change in Terms of Service attempts to change ownership of uploaded files (2025) ===
In the new Terms of Service presented on June 23rd 2025, WeTransfer originally stated that they entitle themselves to "make a profit of the files uploaded by users", starting from the 8th of August 2025.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Leijten |first=Jorg |date=15 Jul 2025 |title=WeTransfer krabbelt iets terug na ophef over overdragen eigendom op geüploade bestanden |trans-title=WeTransfer backs down their transfer of ownership after backlash |url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/07/15/wetransfer-is-binnenkort-eigenaar-van-jouw-bestanden-en-wil-er-geld-aan-gaan-verdienen-a4900306 |access-date=15 Jul 2025 |website=NRC |language=nl}}</ref> This is in stark contrast with the Terms of Service from 2021, which states there is no right of ownership to the uploaded files.<ref name=":0" />

Further, the new Terms of Service sparked additional backlash, by the clause to "include the possibility of using AI to improve content moderation" on the uploaded files. WeTransfer updated this clause. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Rahman-Jones |first=Imran |date=15 Jul 2025 |title=WeTransfer says files not used to train AI after backlash |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8mp79gyz1o |access-date=15 Jul 2025 |work=BBC}}</ref>

==Alternatives==
Swiss company Infomaniak offers a free service called [https://www.swisstransfer.com/ SwissTransfer] that is similar to WeTransfer, but has none of the restrictions introduced to WeTransfer by Bending Spoons. The free transfer limit is 50 GB (compared to 2 GB for WeTransfer) and the storage time is up to 30 days (vs. the 7 days of traditional WeTransfer). Moreover, the user can choose a language for the download page.

[https://www.sendgb.net/ SendGB] also offers 20 GB transfers for free without registration.

==See also==
{{Placeholder box|Link to relevant theme articles or companies with similar incidents.}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:WeTransfer]]
[[Category:Articles with verification concerns or other deficiencies]]
[[Category:Articles in need of additional work]]

Cameras bricked on iPhone 13 series after iOS update

2025-07-13T12:16:23Z

InTransparencyWeTrust: improve references with additional information

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Following the iOS 18 release on September 16, 2024, many users of the iPhone 13-series of products noticed that their rear-facing-cameras were no longer functional. One user filed a [https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/cupertino/profile/home-electronics/apple-inc-1216-198239/complaints?page=233&sort=recent&status=#1216_198239_22331190 BBB complaint] and Apple actually responded; claiming that according to the Software License Agreement, they were not responsible for hardware failure due to issues with their own provided software or software update.

No responsibility was taken, and no resolution was ever reached with this incident.

==Background==
Many users of the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max, and iPhone 13 Mini, report widespread camera issues after updating to iOS 18, and some later iOS 18 updates. This is not only limited to Consumer Releases, but also releases that were distributed as part of the iOS 18 Beta Testing Program. These issues can range from visual glitches on the camera, "part not recognized" warnings, one or two of the 3 rear-facing-cameras not working, or total rear camera bump failure, with absolutely no camera usability or image output. Some example photos of what this failure might look like appear below:
[[File:CameraBlackout.webp|thumb|Failure 1: Camera Blackout]]
[[File:Vertical-lines.webp|thumb|Failure 2: Vertical Lines]]
[[File:Unrecognized-camera-part.webp|thumb|Failure 3: Unrecognized Part]]
[[File:Framing-issues.webp|thumb|Failure 4: Misc. Framing Issues]]

==Widespread Camera Failure Incidents==
'''Camera Blackouts:'''

One of the first widespread reports of this incident was made by a [https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1fnnxuf/iphone_13_pm_cameras_not_working_after_ios_18/ reddit user on r/iPhone]. They reported in September of 2024 that their iPhone 13 Pro Max rear-facing-cameras were completely unresponsive after updating to the brand new iOS 18.0 release. This post received <u>over 250 replies</u> from other users who had the exact same problem after updating their iPhone. [https://www.reddit.com/r/iPhone13/comments/1knnblh/iphone_13_pro_max_rear_camera_stopped_working/ Another reddit post] just a few months later shows a screenshot of the same issue the first poster was experiencing.

'''Visual Glitches & Unrecognized Part Errors:'''

[https://www.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/1j2j04o/is_anyone_else_experiencing_camera_glitches_after/ One reddit post] from a r/iOS user in May of 2025 shows vertical lines spreading across the camera viewfinder in the iOS camera app. An error showing an unrecognized part on an OEM phone camera can be found in [https://www.reddit.com/r/ios18beta/comments/1fqti5r/camera_not_recognised_after_updating_to_181/ this reddit post] from a user on a beta version of iOS 18.1

[https://www.reddit.com/r/phonerepair/comments/1jw7545/ios_18_camera_glitch/ Another post] from a phone repair shop owner can be found, where he claims to have recently starting seeing this issue on a regular basis among customers with not only the iPhone 13 line of models, but also the iPhone 14 line as well.

Through such a large consumer response to this issue (at least hundreds of customers), we can eliminate the possibility of this being a contained one-off issue.

==BBB Complaint & Apple's Response==

On September 24th, 2024, a customer named Tennison Seybold filed a [https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/cupertino/profile/home-electronics/apple-inc-1216-198239/complaints?page=233&sort=recent&status=#1216_198239_22331190 complaint] to the Better Business Bureau after his iPhone 13 Pro Max camera failed due to the original iOS 18.0 update. (This is the same person who created the [https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1fnnxuf/iphone_13_pm_cameras_not_working_after_ios_18/ initial reddit post])

Not only did the camera fail due to a software issue, but the complainant also noted that the employee at the Apple Store deemed it was "permanently physically damaged" and implied that the customer's device was "really old" and that he should consider buying a new model instead.

Apple responded to the BBB complaint, claiming that according to Section 8 of the Software License Agreement, Apple was not responsible for any hardware failure caused by issues within their own provided software, even hinting that the problem may have even stemmed from the customer's "Inability to use the Apple Software" (this is their own exact wording!)

You can read Apple's Full Response to the incident below:

"BBB Case #: 22331190

Dear Better Business Bureau:

Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the above-referenced case number.

The following iOS AND iPadOS SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT excerpt(s) may be viewed at <nowiki>https://www.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iOS18_iPadOS18.pdf</nowiki>:

“8. Limitation of Liability. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS LICENSE, TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL APPLE, ITS AFFILIATES, AGENTS OR PRINCIPALS BE LIABLE FOR PERSONAL INJURY, OR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, CORRUPTION OR LOSS OF DATA, FAILURE TO TRANSMIT OR RECEIVE ANY DATA (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION COURSE INSTRUCTIONS, ASSIGNMENTS AND MATERIALS), BUSINESS INTERRUPTION OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE APPLE SOFTWARE AND SERVICES OR ANY THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE, APPLICATIONS OR SERVICES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE APPLE SOFTWARE OR SERVICES, HOWEVER CAUSED, REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY (CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) AND EVEN IF APPLE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.”

Apple, based on the iOS AND iPadOS SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT, declines the customer’s compensation request.

The following Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty excerpt(s) may be viewed at <nowiki>https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/ios-warranty-document-us.html</nowiki>:

“WHAT IS COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY?

Apple Inc. of One Apple Park Way, Cupertino, California, U.S.A. 95014 (“Apple”) warrants the Apple-branded iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV or HomePod hardware product and the Apple-branded accessories contained in the original packaging (“Apple Product”) against defects in materials and workmanship when used normally in accordance with Apple's published guidelines for a period of ONE (1) YEAR from the date of original retail purchase by the end-user purchaser ("Warranty Period"). Apple’s published guidelines include but are not limited to information contained in technical specifications, user manuals and service communications.”

Apple records confirm the customer’s iPhone 13 Pro Max was purchased on April 8, 2022, and it was covered by the Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty through April 7, 2023. The customer’s iPhone 13 Pro Max is approximately eighteen months outside of the Warranty Period. As such, Apple declines the customer’s request for a covered repair or replacement."

<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winter_Composer8446 |date=16 May 2025 |title=iPhone 13 Pro Max rear camera stopped working after updating to iOS 18.5! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/iPhone13/comments/1knnblh/iphone_13_pro_max_rear_camera_stopped_working/ |via=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=jumpman977 |date=23 Sep 2024 |title=iPhone 13 PM Cameras not working after iOS 18 update |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1fnnxuf/iphone_13_pm_cameras_not_working_after_ios_18/ |via=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=LordOfThePings000 |date=3 Mar 2025 |title=Is Anyone Else Experiencing Camera Glitches After iOS 18.3.1 Update? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/1j2j04o/is_anyone_else_experiencing_camera_glitches_after/ |via=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Affectionate-Use1801 |date=27 Sep 2024 |title=Camera not recognised after updating to 18.1 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ios18beta/comments/1fqti5r/camera_not_recognised_after_updating_to_181/ |via=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mountain_Performer22 |date=10 Apr 2025 |title=iOS 18 camera glitch? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/phonerepair/comments/1jw7545/ios_18_camera_glitch/ |via=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=generic-ibuprofen |date=12 Jul 2024 |title=13 Pro can't access the camera using 18.3 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ios18beta/comments/1e116jt/13_pro_cant_access_the_camera_using_183/ |via=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 Sep 2024 |title=Apple Inc. BBB Case #: 22331190 |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/cupertino/profile/home-electronics/apple-inc-1216-198239/complaints?page=233&sort=recent&status=#1216_198239_22331190 |website=Better Business Bureau}}</ref>
[[File:BBB Complaint & Response.png|thumb|BBB Complaint and Response for iPhone 13 Camera Issue]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Apple IPhones]]