GlobalX, a provider of IT services and solutions to the legal industry, has applauded the business ethics of rival firm, SAI Global, who successfully sued Melbourne man, Liam Johnstone, for infringement of copyright, intellectual property, breach of his employment agreement and breaching his duties under the Corporations Act.
Formerly employed by SAI Global – a provider of integrated search, settlement and conveyancing software and services – Johnstone was accused of copying the company’s computer files and order by a court to pay $196,416 in SAI Global’s costs, on top of $9,431 in damages.
SAI Global’s statement of claim said Johnstone brought a document containing confidential information about a former employer to SAI Global’s email system earlier last year, and GlobalX has confirmed it was Johnstone’s former employer prior to joining SAI Global.
GlobalX CEO Peter Maloney, in a statement issued on Thursday, applauded the business ethics of SAI Global and said Johnstone had admitted in early November 2015 he copied SAI Global’s Daily Revenue Report onto the hard drive of a laptop computer supplied to him by his new employer, InfoTrack, which included sensitive customer information.
“On the night of 7 December 2015, the Executive General Manager of SAI Global Property Ms Ann Wootton contacted me to advise confidential information pertaining to GlobalX’s customer’s list was found on Mr Johnstone’s laptop by a forensic technology expert,” Maloney said.
“Demonstrating impeccable leadership Ms Wootton advised me that the information had been removed from SAI Global’s network, apologised for having to give me such news, and reiterated that actions such as these are completely inconsistent with SAI Global’s ethics.
“The suppliers of information and software solutions to the legal industry form a small industry – there are principally only three full service providers. Whilst it is tempting to be offered a perceived pot of gold, in terms of a competitor’s customer list, Ms Wootton and SAI Global demonstrated that they would not be complicit in such unconscionable actions.”
Maloney’s statement says that in Johnstone’s affidavit, he claimed that he used the SAI Global Daily Revenue Report to ascertain which SAI Global customers were also customers of InfoTrack.
“Mr Johnstone’s affidavit claims he did not use the confidential information to make sales calls or contact any customers for any other purpose. He did, however admit his actions were that of his own volition. There is no suggestion that the new employer knew of or sanctioned his conduct.
“The release of Justice Moshinsky orders is an important reminder of what our customers would expect from suppliers and face-to- face representatives.
“Sales can be a tough game in a small industry, and competitors should compete, but when corners are cut with the view of taking the easy option, the unethical behavior can result in severe consequences,” Maloney says.