Friday, May 25, 2012

Traverse Internet Law Federal Court Report: May 2012 - Trade Secret Violation Lawsuits


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.


DELTA MEDIA GROUP, INC. v. CHARTWELL REALTY, LLC, ET AL.
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
5:12-CV-00885-JRA
FILED: 4/12/2012

The “trade secret” violation arises from the Plaintiff’s claim that the Defendants knew of the ownership of the property by the Plaintiff and improperly acquired that information by accessing computer software.  Of course, to the extent the information was publicly viewable and available it is doubtful that this information would constitute a “trade secret”.

The Plaintiff is engaged in the business of providing a subscription service to design websites in the real estate professional industry.  Defendants are competitors.  The Defendants are alleged to have willfully made unauthorized copies of the .html code from one of Plaintiff’s sites and is using the infringing material for another website.

The lawsuit alleges copyright infringement, unfair competition, breach of contract, unfair deceptive trade practices, and trade secret violation. Delta requests injunctive relief to prevent further infringement, the payment of the Defendants' profits, any damages sustained by Delta, the costs of the action, statutory and punitive damages, injunctive relief, and reasonable attorney’s fees.  Traverse Internet Law Cross Reference Number 1563