Community Health Systems, the enormous operator of healthcare facilities headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, has spent recent months trying to shore up its financials, largely by selling off hospitals. That process has led to Community Health Systems running afoul of one of the biggest companies in the world.
Microsoft hit Community Health Systems with a lawsuit, alleging “willful copyright infringement and willful breach of its contractual obligations,” according to a report by Nashville Post.
Over the course of roughly the past year, Community Health Systems has divested itself of more than 30 hospitals, fallout from financial burdens that emerged following the 2014 purchase of Health Management Associates. In terms of hospital count, that deal made Community Health Systems the largest healthcare company in the U.S. The breadth of the company proved to be too difficult to manage, and the scramble to mend the financial picture began.
The lawsuit filed by Microsoft accuses Community Health Systems of facilitating the continued use of licensed software in facilities divested from the larger healthcare company. Microsoft maintains this is in direct violation of the terms of the licensing agreements.
Microsoft further alleges repeated requests for information from Community Health Services went unfulfilled. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, legal fees, and other costs.
Filed Under: Industry regulations