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Structural Dynamics Research Corp. v. Engineering Mechanics Research Corp.

401 F. Supp. 1102 (1975)

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Structural Dynamics Research Corp. v. Engineering Mechanics Research Corp.

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
401 F. Supp. 1102 (1975)

Facts

In the field of structural analysis, computer models were generally limited to straight-sided elements. This gave rise to interest in a program that could incorporate curved and irregularly shaped structures, which were known in the field as isoparametric elements. Karan Surana (defendant) and Kant Kothawala (defendant), employees of Ohio-based Structural Dynamics Research Corporation (SDRC) (plaintiff), successfully developed a computer program incorporating isoparametric elements. Surana and Kothawala entered into employee-patent and confidential-information agreements with SDRC. Surana and Kothawala later ended their employment with SDRC and began working with the same programs for Michigan-based Engineering Mechanics Research Corporation (EMRC) (defendant). SDRC brought suit against EMRC; Surana; Kothawala; and another former employee, Robert Hildebrand (defendant), in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan under diversity jurisdiction. SDRC alleged unfair competition, trade-secret misappropriation, and breach of contract.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Feikens, J.)

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