Gates' Corbis busted again for fraud
Infoflows wins US$12m in damages, Gates still mad
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Corbis, the digital stock photo company founded by Bill Gates in 1989, remains embroiled in a protracted fraud case instigated by Seattle based Infoflows.
In the latest instalment Corbis has been ordered to fork out US$12.75 million in damages by the Washington State Court of Appeals as part of the three-year fraud and breach of contract case. The legal tangle has been going on since 2007 in a matter that alleges Corbis stole trade secrets.
Infoflows provides software that monitors licensed digital content, and it previously developed tech for Corbis.
According to the claim by Infoflows, Corbis abruptly terminated the contract after four months and claimed ownership of the technology. Infoflows then discovered that Corbis was patenting its own system based on what Infoflows saw as its own IP. In January 2007, Corbis sued Infoflows for breach of contract and trade secret misappropriation. Infoflows countersued claiming several charges of fraud.
Corbis was originally ordered to pay $36 million in damages but appealed the decision.
“We are pleased that the court of Appeals saw this case for what it was — repugnant conduct by executives of Corbis who attempted to deceive Infoflows and misappropriate its intellectual property and then cover their actions,” said Infoflows CEO Steve Stone.
Corbis is still considering further appeal. ®
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COMMENTS
Deja Vu Microsoft Stealing Apple QuickTime Code (circa 1998)
"Corbis abruptly terminated the contract after four months and claimed ownership of the technology."
Where have I heard that scenario before? Apple QuickTime code robbery by Microsoft in 1998!
Microsoft paid dearly for ripping off QuickTime code from a third party contracted developer and refusing to return it . It's interesting how Bill Gates is the common denominator in both incidents. What could that possibly mean?
Re: Deja Vu Microsoft Stealing Apple QuickTime Code (circa 1998)
And Sendo - Microsoft's masterplan to screw phone partner – full details.
What is Bill Gates’ position on this?
Interesting case and pretty serious stuff. It appears that a 12 member Washington State jury, Superior Court judge and the three panel of Washington State appellate court found that Corbis senior executives who reported in Gates perpetrated a fraud to steal IP and then worked to conceal that act. What is Bill Gates’ position on this? Has he made any statements as, from what I read, he is the owner.
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