Author: Stephen Alexander – Legal disputes over software may end up in mediation if the Canadian company, 8D Technologies Inc., gets its way. 8D Technologies, a Montreal company, claims $26 million in damages from the Public Bike System Co. (PBSC) over the decision to exclude 8D from the new bike-sharing systems.

Public Bike System Co., a non-profit firm controlled by the city of Montreal, runs Bixi and is suing 8D for $2.5 million for alleged over-billing. 8D Technologies hopes to mediate with Public Bike System Co. “as soon as possible to resolve the dispute.”

Public Bike System Co. spokesperson, Michel Philiber says they offered to mediate with 8D in the past and that 8D has refused mediation requests. Public Bike System Co. would agree to mediation if 8D Technologies provides billing documentation at the heart of the dispute.

Public Bike System Co. uses Bixi, 8D Technologies’ software, for payments and for management and operation of Bixi’s older systems. The city of Montreal runs Bixi and through the Public Bike Sharing Co. sells bike-sharing systems around the world.

Recently, PBSC began utilizing new software developed by another company for bike-sharing systems it recently sold to the cities of Chattanooga, TN, New York and Chicago. Under the name Bike Chattanooga, the new software is reportedly problematic.

Bike Chattanooga was suppose to start operating on May 1, 2012. However, the starting day was canceled on April 30^th after software problems were found. The start dates for the New York and Chicago operations are set to begin this summer.