Danaher Corp. Sues Former VP for Allegedly Stealing Trade Secret Information
Gregory D. Jordan, an experienced Austin Business Litigation Attorney and Austin Employment Attorney, comments on cases involving theft of trade secrets and breach of confidentiality agreements.
Danaher Corp. sued its former V.P., Joseph Rodriguez, accusing him of breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets and violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Danaher filed its lawsuit against Rodriguez on Sept. 22 in the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division.
On Aug. 17, Rodriguez was told in advance that he was being terminated effective Sept. 27. Danaher Corp. took possession of Rodriguez’s company computer and performed a forensic analysis on it. Danaher said it discovered that Rodriguez installed data-wiping software on the company’s computer and deleted more than 15,000 files shortly before he was told of his termination. Danaher claims Rodriguez copied confidential information and then sought to cover his tracks.
Danaher Corp. is seeking punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, lost profits and court costs in addition to an injunction against Rodriguez to prevent him from using or disclosing the company’s confidential trade secret information.
“Now that employees often have computer access to confidential corporate information, companies must be prepared to act quickly to protect their trade secrets if they suspect an employee may be stealing them,” said Austin Business Attorney and Employment Lawyer Gregory D. Jordan. “Over the years, we have represented both corporations and employees in lawsuits over confidential information. A quick hearing for injunctive relief is many times the best way to protect a corporation’s information and bring one of these cases to a rapid conclusion.”
Regardless of whether an employee has a confidentiality agreement with an employee, the employee still owes common law duties to his employer not to use or disclose the employer’s confidential information.
“Rodriguez would not have been entitled to take Danaher’s confidential information even if there had been no written confidentiality agreement, but the fact there is a written agreement may make it easier for Danaher to recover attorney’s fees in this case,” said Austin Business Litigation Lawyer and Employment Attorney Jordan. Jordan recommends that almost all corporations should seriously consider whether it would be appropriate to have at least some of their employees execute confidentiality agreements.
Gregory D. Jordan has substantial experience representing both employers and employees in disputes over the use of confidential information. He is an Austin Business Attorney, Austin Employment Lawyer and Austin Business Litigation Attorney.
To learn more visit, https://www.theaustintriallawyer.com.