Carolyn Hoecker Luedtke

Intellectual Property – Trade Secret, Copyright and Trademark Litigation

Carolyn has significant experience in trade secret matters, both in situations involving employee mobility, where individuals move from one competitor to another, and in cases involving allegations of trade secret theft in connection with business relationships, non-disclosure agreements, joint ventures, due diligence and partnerships. Carolyn also has an active practice counseling clients on trade secret protection plans, as well as conducting investigations into the potential theft or receipt of trade secret information.

She also advises clients in significant copyright and trademark litigation.

Trade Secret and Employee Mobility

Snap in winning a motion to dismiss trade secret and related claims related to the SnapMaps application.

Intel in obtaining temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions against engineers who misappropriated trade secrets and confidential information and then destroyed evidence to cover it up.

First Student in winning a motion to dismiss and motion challenging the adequacy of a trade secret disclosure in a trade secret case brought by a competitor in the school bus business.

Ten-X in obtaining a preliminary injunction against a former executive and a competitor based on allegations of trade secret misappropriation, breach of an Invention Assignment Agreement, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of confidentiality agreement. The case was ultimately settled for a cash payment, continued injunction, and a public apology.

ABC in defeating an effort by CBS to enjoin the reality show “The Glass House” based on, among other things, allegations that the producers of “The Glass House” took trade secrets about reality television production from their former employment at CBS working on its show “Big Brother.”

Air Lease Corporation in resolving allegations of trade secret theft, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty and unfair competition relating to the formation of the company by Steven Udvar-Hazy after he retired from competitor ILFC, a subsidiary of AIG.

Applied Materials, Inc. in obtaining voluntary dismissal of litigation filed by ASM America, Inc., in an Arizona federal court that sought to enjoin a former ASM employee from working for Applied. Carolyn later moved for attorneys’ fees in federal court and on the eve of that hearing, the parties reached a confidential settlement.

Intel in obtaining dismissal of a trade secret case wherein plaintiff alleged misappropriation of purported trade secrets that he disclosed during due diligence discussions. The case was affirmed by the Court of Appeals following briefing and argument.

A top Silicon Valley technology executive in obtaining a favorable settlement in litigation over the enforceability of a non-competition agreement, allowing the executive to commence work at a new job.

A venture capital firm and its partner in winning a motion to dismiss with prejudice a lawsuit alleging trade secret misappropriation and ten other causes of action, including CFAA, RICO and related state law claims related to the alleged theft of intellectual property by an inventor who joined a company the venture capital firm invested in and allegedly disclosed the trade secret to the venture capital firm in due diligence.

Copyright and Trademark

Disney, Lucasfilm and Marvel in obtaining a preliminary injunction against Redbox regarding its unauthorized sale of digital codes sold in DVD “Combo Packs.”

Companies in the videogame industry in numerous successful copyright cases.

Versace in winning summary judgment and a permanent injunction in a case against Versace 19.69 Abbgliamento Sportivo, an unrelated company, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition claims.