First Conferences Services Ltd & Anor v Bracchi & Anor

First Conferences Services Ltd & Anor v Bracchi & Anor

The Defendants misappropriated confidential information and database material, passed off their conferences as those of the Claimants, and breached database rights. The evidence overwhelmingly established the Claimants' claims except for the employment reduced efficiency claim, which was dismissed.

Parties
Claimant: First Conferences Services Ltd; Claimant: First Conferences Ltd; Defendant: Richard Bracchi; Defendant: Inspire Conferences Ltd (t/a IE Group Ltd)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
26 August 2009
Procedural Posture
Civil / Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Claim allowed in main; permanent injunction granted; employment reduced efficiency claim dismissed; further orders and costs to be determined.
Legal Topics
Passing Off, Database Rights, Confidential Information, Springboard Injunction, Breach of Confidence
Intellectual Property Employment Law Commercial Law Passing Off Database Rights Confidential Information Springboard Injunction Breach of Confidence

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Parties

First Conferences Services Ltd

Claimant

First Conferences Ltd

Claimant

Richard Bracchi

Defendant

Inspire Conferences Ltd (t/a IE Group Ltd)

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Judgment After Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the First Defendant misappropriated confidential information and database material from the Claimants for use in a competing business
  2. 2 Whether the Defendants passed off their conferences as those of the Claimants
  3. 3 Whether the Defendants breached database rights under article 16 of the Copyright and Rights in Database Regulations 1997

Ratio Decidendi

The Defendants misappropriated confidential information and database material, passed off their conferences as those of the Claimants, and breached database rights. The evidence overwhelmingly established the Claimants' claims except for the employment reduced efficiency claim, which was dismissed.

Court Disposition

Claim allowed in main; permanent injunction granted; employment reduced efficiency claim dismissed; further orders and costs to be determined.

Orders

  • Permanent injunction against Defendants for passing off and misuse of confidential information
  • Damages to be assessed