Columbia Sportswear Co. reached a settlement with Crocs Inc., which it sued in an Oregon court for misappropriation of trade secrets after an employee was found to be working at both firms at the same time.
The settlement included an undisclosed sum of money and Columbia dismissed all claims against Crocs.
Columbia said it would continue to pursue a separate claim in Multnomah County Circuit Court against Brian O’Boyle, the former Columbia employee who was retained by Crocs as an independent contractor.
Columbia’s case against Crocs alleged misappropriation of trade secrets, intentional interference with contract and aiding and abetting the employee’s breach of his duty of loyalty.
You May Also Like
“Crocs respects third party trade secrets, intellectual property and employment related obligations,” said Daniel Hart, Crocs’ executive vice president and chief legal and administrative officer. “We regret that Crocs retained a Columbia footwear designer to provide footwear design services to Crocs while he was also employed by Columbia.”
For complete coverage, see Friday’s WWD.