Robins, et al. v. Supermarket Equipment Sales, LLC; Smith v. Supermarket Equipment Sales

SES is a company that makes and supplies outer components or "skins" for grocery store refrigeration units. SES was formed in 2009 when its immediate predecessor, SER, was foreclosed by its bank. SES subsequently sued appellants, employees of SER, for injunctive relief under the Georgia Trade Secrets Act (GTSA), OCGA 10-1-760 et seq. Appellants then appealed, contending that the trial court erred when it found SES had standing to sue and when it granted equitable relief after finding that the preemption clause of the GTSA was inapplicable. The court held that, based upon the unique facts of the case, the trial court did not err when it declined to deny SES's action for lack of standing. The court found, however, that the trial court manifestly abused its discretion when it granted equitable relief to SES because the trial court's reliance on Owens v. Ink Wizard Tattoos was erroneous and the GTSA superseded all conflicting laws providing restitution or civil remedies for the misappropriation of trade secrets. Accordingly, the trial court's award of equitable relief pursuant to OCGA 9-5-1 was a manifest abuse of discretion and must be reversed. View "Robins, et al. v. Supermarket Equipment Sales, LLC; Smith v. Supermarket Equipment Sales" on Justia Law