Here is the latest posting on the http://www.think3.com website:

BY MEANS OF THE DECISION NO. 69/2011, LODGED ON 14 APRIL 2011, THE COURT OF BOLOGNA DECLARED THINK3 INC. BANKRUPT. AS A CONSEQUENCE, ALL ASSETS OF THINK3 (INCLUDING THIS WEBSITE) ARE MANAGED BY THE APPOINTED TRUSTEE, DR. A. FERRI OF BOLOGNA.

THIS WEBSITE IS THE ONLY OFFICIAL AND AUTHORISED WEBSITE OF THINK3 INC.

EMBEZZLEMENT OF GOODS OF THE BANKRUPTCY (INCLUDING COPYING THIS WEBSITE OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF THINK3) CONSTITUTES A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT MOC.3KNIHT@EETSURT.OFNI  call center: 051/597111

This is the last gasp for the original think3 company. Their intellectual property was acquired by the US company Versata last year. (www.versata.com)

Since then there has been wide unrest among their user base. As far as we can determine, Versata has released virtually all its developers since acquiring the software and appears to be focused on maximizing its service revenue, while delivering very little service. My sources tell me that the bulk of their marketing effort is involved with milking the last drop of maintenance and license revenue from existing users.

The industry has seen this done before. In the early 90’s Gores Technology acquired Applicon and its Bravo software in a bargain sale, and immediately eliminated all development. It took a few years, but the Bravo sales dwindled rapidly, while Gores gorged on the high margin profits from software maintenance. Deja vu all over again!

We have had several notes from think3 customers, particularly of consumer products, that just love think3’s GSM (global shape modeling) and are willing to give Versata the benefit of the doubt and hope that some new enhancements are coming.

Users would be wise to examine alternative products. Excellent shape design products are available in Inventor/Alias, Creo, Catia, and NX.

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Latest update 24 Apr 2011: Not only is the think3.versata.com link down, but a search of the versata.com site for any mention of think3 comes up blank. A bit odd if Versata truly owns the think3 IP!