|
Dubai: Dubai-based tyre manufacturer and distributor Al Dobowi Group's name has been linked to a controversy, after continuing to work with a man wanted for arrest in Florida for misappropriation of trade secrets.
Sam Vance, former marketing manager of Alpha Mining Systems, a US-based global manufacturer of industrial mining tyres, was found guilty on January 24 2008, in Florida of giving copyrighted tyre and wheel blueprints, including tread design, rim flange heights and ply ratings, pricing information, customer lists and other trade secrets to Al Dobowi Group between August and October 2005.
The court order, signed by Sarasota Circuit Court Judge Robert W. McDonald Jr, stated, "This court finds by clear and convincing evidence that defendant (Sam Vance) is personally guilty of intentional misconduct pursuant to Fla.Stat number 768.72(2)(a) and that the defendant acted willfully and maliciously in misappropriating plaintiff's (Alpha) trade secrets information and that the defendant acted with the specific intent to harm the plaintiff." It awarded compensatory damages of $19.7 million.
The court found that, while employed with Alpha, Vance also ran up a $104,000 bill on his company credit card, with the money spent on gambling and personal use.
In addition to monetary damages, the court order permanently prohibits Vance from working with any company in the world "that has underground mining tires as an area of its tire range for sale."
The order also prohibits Vance from contacting or communicating with Al Dobowi Group or any customer, former or present, of Alpha. The court's final judgement also said that "with Alpha's trade secret information, Al Dobowi invested in excess of $1,500,000 through August 2006 to begin selling underground mining tires and wheels."
Denial
However, the Al Dobowi Group denies culpability. "The Al Dobowi Group denies any and all unsupported allegations made by Alpha Tyre Systems regarding Al Dobowi Group in Alpha Tyres' dispute with Sam Vance," the company said in an emailed statement.
According to court materials, Vance has so far violated 10 court orders, dating from March 29 2007 until January 24 2008, and was called to appear in court on March 11 2008 to face charges of criminal contempt.
On March 18 2008, the court issued an order for the arrest of Sam Vance for failing to appear in court on March 11.
Sheriffs of Florida County have been told to arrest Vance and, should he be found outside the USA, for him to be brought back to Florida to face the court, by extradition if necessary.
The Al Dobowi Group is based in Dubai and headed by Surender, Jasjeev and Harjeev Kandhari.
The court's final judgment states that, "Beginning in August 2005 and continuing through today, defendant has worked for a Dubai-based company Al Dobowi Group."
"Continuing today, defendant is actively selling underground mining tires internationally, with a specific emphasis on China for Al Dobowi, using Alpha's confidential, proprietary and trade secret information," it said, signed by Judge McDonald.
However, in a statement, Al Dobowi Group rejects the judgment of the court. "Al Dobowi Group categorically denies that Vance is employed by the Al Dobowi Group."
|
