TraverseInternet Law Federal Court Report: February 2011 - 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.

VILLAZZO, LLC v. SERENDIPITY VILLA LIMITED, ET AL.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA (MIAMI)
1:11-CV-20201
FILED: 1/19/2011

Consultants have a tendency to acquire information and then use it to sell to other businesses in the industry. Make sure that you have specific non-compete or exclusionary provisions in your web development and consulting contracts to avoid this type of problem from arising.
Plaintiff Villazzo offers luxury homes and hospitality services to high net worth individuals in exclusive locations throughout the world. Defendant Morali was contracted as a consultant to Villazzo and acquired certain confidential and proprietary information in the furtherance of his duties and responsibilities. Defendant Morali was providing consulting service to a competitor of Villazzo without Villazzo’s knowledge and is alleged to have an acquired extensive client lists and related information and provided that for the competitor.

Counts in the lawsuit include copyright infringement, unfair competition, violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, tortious interference with business relationships, and misappropriation of trade secrets. Plaintiff requests that the Court enter preliminary and permanent injunctive relief along with an accounting of Defendant’s profits, actual damages, payment of royalties to Plaintiff by Defendant for misappropriation of the Plaintiff’s intellectual property and trade secrets, statutory damages, costs and attorneys’ fees. Traverse Internet Law Cross-Reference Number 1469.