Software Theft - Keyboard Helper
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The Keyboard Helper was an adaption designed by TME replacing a normal keyboard with a program that could be customized to provide work station access for diverse handicapped users. The TME Keyboard Helper was featured extensively in Lockheed’s Best and Final Offer for the NOAVA Program. (Document BAFO Bk 2 p.3, B4 p.10). TME and Lockheed also exchanged several documents regarding the Keyboard Helper. (Document PRC-0008, T-0014-8/9). The NOAVA Usage Manual included the Keyboard Helper for sale.
On September 23, 1991 Lockheed requested a no-cost evaluation copy of the TME Keyboard Helper, which TME provided. (See Document T-0025 below). Shortly after receiving the copy of the TME Keyboard Helper, Lockheed informed TME that the VA no longer wanted adaption support and thus there would be no sales of the Keyboard Helper. TME took Lockheed at its word. However, after TME and Lockheed parted ways due to TME's discovery of Lockheed’s theft of TME’s Desktop Management Tool, Dave Etter (Director of Training), disturbed by Lockheed’s corrupt and racist treatment of TME, provided Clovice with proof that Lockheed had also pirated TME’s Keyboard Helper and was selling copies for $195.00 each. (Documents LKD-0001, LKD-0002 shown on this page). TME never knew how many copies of its Keyboard Helper Lockheed sold, robbing it of its legally owed profits. That said, TME should have never been put in the situation where they would compute need to compute how many of their Keyboard Helper programs Lockheed stole from them during the life of the NOAVA program. |
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NOTE: Lockheed Martin Corporation does not now own, nor is it associated with, Lockheed Integrated Solutions Company. In all instances "Lockheed" is an abbreviation for Lockheed Integrated Solutions Company. The story presented in this website is for historical and educational purposes only. It is a true account of how systemic racism operated in a corporation in the past, and an exposé of how it operates in the present.