Trade Secrets Theft Could Land Executive in Prison
By Press
From the San Jose Mercury News: John J. O'Neil, former CEO of Business Engine Software Corp., pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to steal trade secrets He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
O'Neil admitted that he conspired over a 10-month period to illegally access the computer network of rival company Niku Corp. in order to steal trade secrets, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
O'Neil then transmitted the stolen material to other Business Engine Software employees so the company could gain a competitive advantage over Niku.
Although most trade secrets are civil, the most egregious ones can occasionally interest prosecutors and lead to serious time for those convicted.
O'Neil admitted that he conspired over a 10-month period to illegally access the computer network of rival company Niku Corp. in order to steal trade secrets, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
O'Neil then transmitted the stolen material to other Business Engine Software employees so the company could gain a competitive advantage over Niku.
Although most trade secrets are civil, the most egregious ones can occasionally interest prosecutors and lead to serious time for those convicted.
1 Comments:
In this case Niku, Business Engine's competitor in question, published the URL and usernames and passwords to their server for all the world to see. It just so happened that their competitor was watching.
It seems to me that with the intentional publishing of this information, Niku would have NO claims of Trade Secrets and therefor of no value taken.
Yet, the prosecutor still threw the book at the 3 employees. Not right at all.
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