Chicago, IL– Intellectual property attorneys for Italian company Tecnomatic have filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Illinois making patent ownership, trademark infringement and other claims against automotive part company Delco Remy of Pendleton, Indiana as well as Delco Remy of Mexico and other parties. The technology at issue is High Voltage Hairpin stator winding technology that is a component of electric motors for hybrid electric vehicles. Tecnomatic alleges that it shared its technology in anticipation of a possible joint venture and that Remy breached confidentiality agreements made as part of that proposal. Tecnomatic further alleges that Remy used its confidential technology to gain business and federal grants and attempted to file patent applications with the US Patent Office without crediting Tecnomatic as inventors.
Tecnomatic’s patent attorneys have made claims for correction of patent inventorship, false and misleading designation of origin under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) misappropriation of trade secrets, federal, state, and common law unfair competition, as well as breach of confidentiality agreements, negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent misrepresentation, constructive fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, interference with contractual and business relationships, and unjust enrichment. Tecnomatic claims actual damages of $110,000,000 and seeks disgorgement of profits, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and an injunction as well.
This case has been assigned to District Judge Edmond E. Chang in the Northern District Court of Illinois, and assigned case no. 1:2011cv01652.
Practice Tip: This case illustrates the importance of confidentiality agreements protecting intellectual property when joint ventures are contemplated.
Complaint – Tecnomatic v. Remy
Further information about this case is as follows:
Filed: March 9, 2011 as 1:2011cv01652 Updated: March 10, 2011 03:57:16
Plaintiff: Tecnomatic, S.p.A.
Defendants: 1-10 Does, Delco Remy Mexico, S.R.L. de C.V., Hanson Systems, LLC d/b/a Eagle Technologies Group, Odawara Automation, Inc., Remy Componentes S. de R.L. de C.V. and others
Presiding Judge: Edmond E. Chang
Cause Of Action: Trademark Infringement (Lanham Act)