by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
The City is negotiating with the Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs to determine whether the group’s new benefits tracking software violates a City copyright.
The General Counsel’s Office has alerted the mayor’s office in a step that could signal the City’s intention to take legal action against the FDVA. The general counsel’s policy holds that the mayor must be contacted prior to initiating action against the State. Assistant General Counsel Virginia Norton said the mayor had been briefed simply as a matter of protocol. She said the City’s current plan was to continue with what she called “amicable” negotiations.
“As sometimes happens when you have counsel advocating for clients on different sides, some differing opinions emerge,” said Norton. “We certainly hope to resolve things in a positive way.”
At issue is the FDVA’s new Veteran’s Benefits Online Tracking System, which City representatives say mimics Jacksonville’s own system. The City’s Lebanoff Allen Veteran’s Administrative Tracking System was copyrighted in 1998. It was designed to help the City track veteran’s benefits. Shortly after installing the program, the City made it available to other Florida municipalities.
“We wanted to help veteran’s groups across the State,” said Norton. “Because it really benefited the City, we wanted to provide the service to other veterans.”
The City gave the software to state, city and county veteran’s groups according to a licensing agreement. In exchange for the program, users agreed to display Jacksonville’s copyright on the title screen and agreed to share program enhancements.
Norton said City information technology workers first noticed the VBOLTS program toward the end of last year. She said the state program was “strikingly similar” to LAVATS. For instance, Norton said the VBOLTS master file screen, which asks veterans’ personal information, and a letter generating system are almost identical to LAVATS. Negotiations began in February, but the FDVA has maintained the program is original.
Norton said the program is more likely an enhanced version of LAVATS. However, the FDVA has so far not shared the improvements with the City. Norton said the City had to defend its intellectual property.
“A lot of City taxpayers spent their money, and a lot of City workers worked hard on this program. A program like this didn’t exist; we were kind of a pioneer in this, all we would hope in return is that others give us due credit and share their improvements with us,” said Norton.
Both systems are operating while the dispute is settled. Norton said the City had no intention of interfering with VBOLTS operation.
“The most important thing, as it has been throughout the negotiations, is that veterans continue to have increased, faster access,” said Norton.