Weiss Technik UK Limited & Ors v Christopher Davies & Ors

Weiss Technik UK Limited & Ors v Christopher Davies & Ors

All defendants breached contractual or equitable duties of confidence by providing and/or using Weiss software, passwords, and confidential materials. Mr Jones, SJJ, and Mrs Whitfield breached confidentiality by taking and using the ServiceLife database. Mr Jones and SJJ induced breaches by other defendants. Mr Davies, Mr Jones, and SJJ infringed copyright in Weiss software. Mr Jones, SJJ, and Mrs Whitfield infringed database rights. Claims of copyright infringement against Mrs Whitfield and Mr Oram were not established. Claims of conspiracy and quantum were not determined.

Parties
Claimant: Weiss Technik UK Limited; Claimant: Weiss Technik GmbH; Claimant: Weiss Technik France S.A.S.; Defendant: Mr Christopher Davies; Defendant: SJJ System Services Limited; Defendant: Mr Stephen Jones; Defendant: Mrs Catheryn Whitfield; Defendant: Mr Ben Oram
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
08 November 2022
Procedural Posture
Civil (intellectual Property, Breach of Confidence, Contract, Database Rights) / Judgment on Liability After Trial
Outcome
Liability established in part for breach of confidence, copyright infringement, and database rights; claims of conspiracy and quantum not determined.
Legal Topics
Breach of Confidence, Copyright Infringement, Database Rights, Inducing Breach of Contract, Employee Duties, Trade Secrets
Intellectual Property Contract Law Equity Employment Law Breach of Confidence Copyright Infringement Database Rights Inducing Breach of Contract +2 more

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 13 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Weiss Technik UK Limited

Claimant

Weiss Technik GmbH

Claimant

Weiss Technik France S.A.S.

Claimant

Mr Christopher Davies

Defendant

SJJ System Services Limited

Defendant

Mr Stephen Jones

Defendant

Mrs Catheryn Whitfield

Defendant

Mr Ben Oram

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil (intellectual Property, Breach of Confidence, Contract, Database Rights) / Judgment on Liability After Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendants breached contractual and/or equitable duties of confidence by providing or using Weiss software, passwords, ServiceLife database, and confidential materials
  2. 2 Whether Mr Jones/SJJ induced or procured breaches of contract by other defendants
  3. 3 Whether the defendants infringed copyright in Weiss software packages

Ratio Decidendi

All defendants breached contractual or equitable duties of confidence by providing and/or using Weiss software, passwords, and confidential materials. Mr Jones, SJJ, and Mrs Whitfield breached confidentiality by taking and using the ServiceLife database. Mr Jones and SJJ induced breaches by other defendants. Mr Davies, Mr Jones, and SJJ infringed copyright in Weiss software. Mr Jones, SJJ, and Mrs Whitfield infringed database rights. Claims of copyright infringement against Mrs Whitfield and Mr Oram were not established. Claims of conspiracy and quantum were not determined.

Court Disposition

Liability established in part for breach of confidence, copyright infringement, and database rights; claims of conspiracy and quantum not determined.

Orders

  • Declaration of liability for breach of confidence against all defendants as specified
  • Declaration of liability for copyright infringement against Mr Davies, Mr Jones, and SJJ