Alabama Judge Upholds $192 Million Verdict for Trade Secrets Theft
According to Womble Carlyle's Trade Secrets Blog, Mobile (Alabama) County Circuit Judge Robert Smith has upheld a $192 million verdict against chemical manufacturers Ineos Phenol and Ineos Americas LLC for their theft of trade secrets owned by Dr. Sven Peter Mannsfeld.
Mannsfeld filed suit in 2006 after learning in 2004 that his idea, which recycles hazardous waste into building products for making tires and other items, had been patented by the defendants, who listed their employees as the inventors. Mannsfeld is retired as the president of Degussa Corporation, a multinational chemical manufacturer now known as Evonik Degussa, which had a plant next to Ineos' in a Mobile-area industrial park.
The verdict, which was returned last October following a two-week trial, consisted of $25 million for "historic" damages and $167 million in future damages through 2005.
Judge Smith entered his order last Friday, and the defendants have 42 days to appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court. They have denied any theft of Mannsfeld's idea and will appeal.
