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FL Appeal Court's Memorabilia Trade Secrets Decision
Here's how attorneys unraveled the truth behind an entertainment-and-sports memorabilia trade secrets case that saw the lawyers uncover crucial details during discovery. Trade secrets cases are difficult to prove, but details in a ruling from Florida's Third District Court of Appeal suggest the efforts of Isicoff Ragatz attorneys paid off for their appellee clients. Forbes v. Millionaire Gallery Inc., 3D19-1630.
The ruling came in a case where appellant Richard Forbes, a former employee of Millionaire Gallery Inc., allegedly took 300 photos from the company and used them for marketing and sales "placeholders" on his own website. Forbes' company Signature Royale also displayed on its website scanned images of items owned by Millionaire Gallery, according to the appellate ruling. And Signature Royale allegedly sent email blasts to individuals on Millionaire Gallery's customer contact list. Another telling detail: Millionaire Gallery's litigators — Isicoff Ragatz partners Eric D. Isicoff, Teresa Ragatz and Christopher Yannuzzi in Miami — also discovered that Forbes' company had made 82% of its sales to Millionaire's clients.
Millionaire Gallery produces, markets and sells entertainment and sports memorabilia. Forbes served as Millionaire Gallery's accountant and chief financial officer. Around October 2011, Forbes resigned from his position, noting that he wanted to start a new career. After his resignation, Forbes continued to provide accounting services to Millionaire Gallery. On March 9, 2012, while he was still assisting Millionaire Gallery, Forbes formed Investment Ink LLC, which also sold sports and entertainment memorabilia, and does business under the name Signature Royale.
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