Ultraframe Plc announes that its wholly owned business Four Seasons has been the subject of an adverse jury verdict in the State of Ohio, USA. The case concerned a relatively junior employee of Four Seasons employed between December 2001 and May 2002, who had previously been employed by Patio Enclosures, the claimant in this case.

‘The case concerned alleged interference with contractual employment obligations and alleged misuse of trade secrets. The trial court entered judgement on a jury's verdict to Patio Enclosures in the amount of approximately $8.6m.

‘Post trial motions are in the process of being filed with the trial judge in the case, who has the option of reconsidering this judgement before concluding his involvement. Ultraframe has confidence in Four Seasons' position in this case and believes that challenge to the current judgment, by either post trial motions or alternatively on appeal, is well founded. Ultraframe believes that this judgement should be reduced upon review by the courts although this process could take some considerable time.'

According to papers filed in the Court of Common Pleas, Akron, Ohio on 26th August, Ultraframe subsidiary Four Seasons must pay Patio Enclosues the following:

1. For tortious interference with a contractual relationship: $20,000
2. Misappropriation of a trade secret: $2.6m
3. Punitive Damages: $6m

This comes to a total of $8.62m, or £4.8m.

Four Seasons has also been ordered to pay court costs, including four days jury expense.

Source

Glass Age