# Double trouble for Microsoft as pre-owned software licenses claims converge

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/double-trouble-for-microsoft-as-pre-owned-software-licenses-claims-converge/
- Published: 2026-08-05T09:02:00+00:00
- Original publisher: The Register
- Original article: https://www.theregister.com/saas/2026/08/05/double-trouble-for-microsoft-as-pre-owned-software-licenses-claims-converge/5282421
- Topics: Software, Technology

## Key points

- VL invited to hearing in linked £1.3bn-£3.5bn Microsoft class action
- Both cases allege Microsoft restricted pre-owned software licence resale
- Cases could be paused, merged or run alongside each other from September

## Summary

ValueLicensing (VL), which is pursuing a £270 million claim against Microsoft over restricted resale of surplus Office licences, has been invited to a case management conference in a separate multibillion-pound class action against the company. Both cases sit before the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal and allege Microsoft unfairly restricted the market for pre-owned software licences, meaning closer procedural ties between them could strengthen the pressure on Microsoft's defence.

VL sued Microsoft in 2021, while barrister Alexander Wolfson is proposed class representative in a 2025 claim on behalf of more than two million UK customers seeking between £1.3 billion and £3.5 billion. VL has a disclosure hearing on 14 September, followed by an invitation to the Wolfson case's hearing on 15 September, which may examine whether the Wolfson action should be paused pending VL's more advanced case, or whether the two could eventually be heard together. VL's case has already seen the Court of Appeal dismiss Microsoft's appeals, including on copyright, in July, though Microsoft may still seek permission to appeal to the Supreme Court; Microsoft declined to comment.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.