The New York Knicks have filed a lawsuit against the Toronto Raptors alleging that the Raptors misappropriated trade secrets from a former employee of the Knicks. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and alleges that the Raptors used confidential information that was obtained by a former Knicks employee to gain an unfair competitive advantage.
The lawsuit states that the former employee, who worked in the Knicks’ front office, was hired by the Raptors in 2019 and was given access to confidential information about the Knicks’ personnel decisions, player evaluations, and other internal matters. The employee allegedly shared this information with the Raptors, which allowed them to gain an unfair advantage in their negotiations with players and other teams.
The Knicks are seeking damages for the alleged misappropriation of trade secrets, as well as an injunction to prevent the Raptors from using any of the confidential information. The lawsuit also seeks to prevent the Raptors from hiring any former Knicks employees for a period of two years.
The case is still in its early stages and it remains to be seen how it will play out. However, it is a reminder that companies must take steps to protect their confidential information from being misused by former employees. Companies should consider implementing policies that restrict access to confidential information and require employees to sign non-disclosure agreements upon leaving the company. By taking these steps, companies can ensure that their confidential information remains secure and that they are not at a disadvantage when competing with other teams or organizations.
