Traverse Internet Law Federal Court Report: December 2008 Trade Secret Violation Lawsuits

Traverse Internet Law Disclaimer

The facts are unproven allegations of the Plaintiff and all commentary is based upon the allegations, the truthfulness and accuracy of which are likely in dispute.


SOROUSH DESIGNER RUGS & CARPET COLLECTION, INC. v. YELENA RODINA
EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIGINIA (ALEXANDRIA)
1:08-CV-01248
FILED: 12/3/2008

It is easier today than ever before for an employee to leave an employer’s business and set up a competing enterprise overnight. A prudent business should have key employees, and those with access to trade secrets and confidential information, sign confidentiality agreements, assignments of intellectual property, and possibly non-compete agreements.

The Plaintiff is a high-end designer of rugs and carpets. The Defendant is alleged to have been an independent contractor hired to assist in the development of rug designs and after 10 years of employment left her job with the Plaintiff and joined a direct competitor. Defendant then launched a website and is featuring 43 of Plaintiff’s copyrighted designs which she had agreed were trade secrets and were based on highly confidential information.

The lawsuit claims copyright infringement, breach of contract, violation of the Virginia Trade Secrets Act, and violation of the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Plaintiff is requesting an award of statutory fees of up to $150,000.00 for copyright infringement, actual damages, consequential damages, and extensive injunctive relief. Traverse Internet Law Cross-Reference Number 1261.