A legal storm is brewing between Microsoft and Veeva Systems, with the pharmaceutical software company accusing the tech giant of stepping on its branding turf.
Veeva Systems has filed a lawsuit in a California federal court, claiming Microsoft’s Viva suite—designed for workplace communication and collaboration—violates its trademarks. The complaint argues that the similar name is causing market confusion, particularly since Microsoft’s products in the business management space overlap with Veeva’s offerings.
Veeva is seeking a court order to force Microsoft to abandon the Viva name and is also pursuing financial damages. The company pointed to instances where Microsoft’s software has been misidentified as “Veeva” in news reports and corporate earnings calls as evidence of the alleged confusion.
Microsoft has yet to issue a response, while Veeva has expressed confidence in its case. The lawsuit underscores the high-stakes nature of branding in the software industry, where a single name can carry significant market influence.
The case is now in the hands of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, setting the stage for a corporate clash over identity in the digital age.
