Illiquidx Ltd v Altana Wealth Ltd & Ors [2025] EWHC 299 (Ch) (13 February 2025)

Illiquidx Ltd v Altana Wealth Ltd & Ors [2025] EWHC 299 (Ch) (13 February 2025)

Defendants misused Claimant's confidential information and trade secrets by using proprietary strategy and materials to set up Altana Credit Opportunities Fund, contrary to NDA and Trade Secrets Regulations. Defendants reproduced parts of Claimant's marketing slides, constituting copyright infringement. Mr Kastner is jointly liable as accessory. Information was not in public domain at relevant time; Defendants' prior knowledge claims not credible.

Citation
[2025] EWHC 299 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: Illiquidx Limited; First Defendant: Altana Wealth Limited; Second Defendant: Lee Robinson; Third Defendant: Steffen Kastner; Fourth Defendant: Brevent Advisory Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
13 February 2025
Procedural Posture
Trial / Liability Judgment
Outcome
Liability established against all Defendants for breach of confidence, trade secret infringement, and copyright infringement; joint liability found.
Legal Topics
Breach of Confidence, Trade Secrets, Copyright Infringement, Breach of Contract, Joint Venture, Sanctions Compliance
Intellectual Property Contract Equity Breach of Confidence Trade Secrets Copyright Infringement Breach of Contract Joint Venture +1 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Illiquidx Limited

Claimant

Altana Wealth Limited

First Defendant

Lee Robinson

Second Defendant

Steffen Kastner

Third Defendant

Brevent Advisory Limited

Fourth Defendant

Procedural Posture

Trial / Liability Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Defendants misused Claimant's confidential information contrary to NDA
  2. 2 Whether Defendants infringed Claimant's trade secrets under Trade Secrets Regulations 2018
  3. 3 Whether Defendants infringed Claimant's copyright in marketing materials

Ratio Decidendi

Defendants misused Claimant's confidential information and trade secrets by using proprietary strategy and materials to set up Altana Credit Opportunities Fund, contrary to NDA and Trade Secrets Regulations. Defendants reproduced parts of Claimant's marketing slides, constituting copyright infringement. Mr Kastner is jointly liable as accessory. Information was not in public domain at relevant time; Defendants' prior knowledge claims not credible.

Court Disposition

Liability established against all Defendants for breach of confidence, trade secret infringement, and copyright infringement; joint liability found.

Orders

  • Declaration of liability for breach of NDA and misuse of confidential information
  • Declaration of infringement of trade secrets under Trade Secrets Regulations 2018