Faegre Drinker Intellectual Property Team Wins Complete Defense Verdict for Lippert in Trade Secrets Case

A cross-office intellectual property litigation team obtained a complete defense verdict in a trade secrets case for Lippert in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.

In 2020, Curt Group, a subsidiary of Lippert specializing in cargo management accessories, was approached with an opportunity from a company called Midwest Manufacturing regarding a truck bed extender product. The parties signed a non-disclosure agreement, and after an extended negotiation period, were unable to reach an agreement. 

Midwest filed a lawsuit in December 2021 after Curt launched its own truck bed extender product, alleging claims of trade secret misappropriation, breach of the NDA, tortious interference, conversion and unjust enrichment. In 2023, the Faegre Drinker team filed summary judgment and Rule 702 motions, ultimately obtaining dismissal of part of the trade secret claim, the entire unjust enrichment claim, and a portion of the damages claim. 

In September 2024, the Faegre Drinker team tried the case to a jury, with Midwest arguing for millions on its trade secret, breach of contract and conversion claims. After a 4-day trial, the jury delivered a complete defense verdict in favor of Curt on all claims.  

The Faegre Drinker team included intellectual property partner Jared Briant, associates Andrea Savageau and Stephen Osseiran, and paralegal Theresa Tischer.