UsedSoft
| Aktiengesellschaft (AG, joint stock company under Swiss law) | |
| Industry | Internet commerce |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Zug, Switzerland |
|
Key people
|
Peter Schneider (Senior Management) |
| Website | www |
UsedSoft is a used-software commerce company headquartered in Zug, Switzerland that instituted the business-to-business (B2B) market for used computer programs.
UsedSoft was founded in 2003 by Peter Schneider and two partners, though the latter two left the company later. Business operations were launched in 2004. At that time, the company's headquarters were located in Munich. After initial skepticism — contrary to de facto legal circumstances, the market was long plagued by the belief that used software was not tradeable — the company has attained double-digit growth rates again and again.
This, however, led to growing and significant opposition from the software manufacturers in the US. In 2006, Microsoft went so far as to file a criminal complaint, which was dropped by Munich's General State Prosecutor on the grounds of proven innocence. In 2005, Oracle attempted to halt used software trade with a civil lawsuit. This endeavor also failed but ultimately lead to an EU-wide liberalization of used software trade (see below, "ECJ Ruling").
UsedSoft purchases and sells standard computer programs that have already been used by other users. Since it does not suffer from wear, contrary to other products, software retains the same quality as brand new products. Licenses on the used market are available for around 30 percent below the price on new software.
UsedSoft also purchases used software. That means companies can turn software they no longer require (due to system changes, reduction of workstations, etc.) into liquidity. Such purchases are subject to notarial monitoring.
UsedSoft mainly deals in all standard computer programs of Microsoft brands. There are plans to expand the used software model to include the standard software of other manufacturers as well, especially Adobe, SAP, and Oracle.
UsedSoft maintains business operations exclusively in Europe. Its customer base includes large companies, SMEs, and public agencies, including Edeka, Woolworth, Harry Broth, s.Oliver, Segafredo, the airports of Munich and Salzburg, law firms, an association in Germany's Bundesliga soccer league, savings and loans banks, as well as the City of Munich, Germany's Federal Social Court in Kassel, and the Thuringia Police.
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Wikipedia