[December 22, 2014]

Christie, Parker & Hale Announces Reuland Electric Co. Federal Court Ruling

Christie, Parker & Hale announces Reuland Electric Federal Court ruling. In late 2013, Reuland Electric Co. ("Reuland"), the "world's most flexible electric motor manufacturer," filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against Montana companies Burgi Engineering, Inc. ("BEI") and Burgi Engineers, LLC ("BELLC") for breach of contract and other related claims. In that suit, Reuland alleges that Reuland and BEI entered into a non-disclosure and proprietary rights agreement under which all information, documentation and other materials created by BEI in connection with work done for Reuland over the 12 year relationship belongs exclusively to Reuland. Reuland further alleges that BELLC is also bound by the agreement.

In response, BELLC asserts it is not bound by the agreement and can use information it received and created in connection with he work it performed for Reuland for any purpose.

Reuland recently filed a motion asking the Court to rule that BELLC is the successor of BEI and is bound by the non-disclosure and proprietary rights agreement ["NDA/PRA"]. On December 8, 2014, the Hon. S. James Otero, United States District Court Judge, granted Reuland's motion in part and issued an Order stating:

"The Court finds that for the purposes of the NDA/PRA, BELLC is the successor to BEI."

A trial is scheduled for February 18, 2015 to determine, in part, the amount of monetary damages to be assessed against BEI and BELLC for breaching the NDA/PRA.

Reuland's management is gratified that the Court confirmed its understanding of the business relationship under which BELLC performed engineering services for Reuland. For more than twenty-five years, Reuland has acted to protect its confidential and proprietary information. Reuland intends to continue to aggressively protect its intellectual property rights, and will take strong action to prevent any unauthorized and improper use of its intellectual property. Reuland is represented by Eric N. Lindquist of Law Offices of Eric Nelson Lindquist and by Thomas J. Daly and G. Warren Bleeker of Christie, Parker & Hale.

For more information: Please visit the Reuland website (www.reuland.com) or contact William Kramer, Executive Vice President of Reuland.

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