FLIR Systems, Inc. (FLIR) said Tuesday that a federal court in Texas has entered an important ruling in favor of FLIR and its subsidiary, Indigo Systems Corp., and against Raytheon Co. (RTN) in one of the most closely followed disputes in the defense industry.
Judge Richard Schell of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas dismissed Raytheon's claims against FLIR and Indigo for trade secret misappropriation, violation of the Texas Theft Liability Act, unfair competition, tortious interference, and fraudulent concealment. The claims dismissed yesterday represent the preponderance of Raytheon's case against FLIR.
Raytheon's claims were based on its allegations that Indigo hired former Raytheon employees in an effort to obtain their knowledge of Raytheon's trade secrets relating to infrared camera technology. The technology is used in military and commercial applications. Still in dispute in the lawsuit are claims by Raytheon for breach of contract and patent infringement, as well as counterclaims by FLIR and Indigo that Raytheon's patents in suit are invalid.
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