In September of 2011, an astrology software company called Astrolabe filed suit against Arthur David Olson and Paul Eggert, researchers who coordinated the development of a time zone database.
Software engineers around the world depend on the time zone database to make sure that time-stamps for email and other files work correctly no matter where you are. Astrolabe claimed that its copyrights were infringed, because the database relies in part on information in an atlas in which Astrolabe claimed to own copyright.
EFF is pleased to announce that the case was dismissed in February of 2012. Astrolabe has also apologized and agreed to a ‘covenant not to sue’ going forward, which will help protect the database from future baseless legal actions and disruptions.