EMC loses battle to stop ex-VP working for the enemy

Storage giant EMC has lost its courtroom battle to stop its former VP of global sales alliances, Kenneth Todd Gresham, from working for a competitor.

The judge in the case did not accept EMC's allegation that Gresham's position as a consultant to its competitor Eurologic was just a sham and ruled against the storage giant.

However, EMC refuted the ruling and said it will continue to prosecute the case.

Kay Brewer, director of public relations for Irish storage vendor Eurologic, said: "This is vindication for us - the judgement was just what we've been saying all along.

"This is just a case of the big guy trying to muscle the rest of the industry around, and thankfully, the judge hasn't let them."

But EMC hit back, claiming Gresham had breached clauses in its contract that stop its employees working for competitors for a year after leaving the company.

Eurologic said its relations with Gresham are via a consultancy and that it does not directly employ him.

The judgement is blow to EMC, which publicly denounced Gresham's alleged behaviour and accused him of stealing intellectual property.

EMC also accused its ex-employee of spying for Eurologic, and said he was using his influence to woo EMC customers - including Dell - over to Eurologic.

The Irish Times yesterday quoted EMC as saying Gresham's indiscretions will cost it $1bn in lost business.

Massachusetts superior court judge Allan van Gestel ruled that Gresham will be able to continue his consulting relationship with Eurologic.

A spokeswoman for EMC said: "We will continue to work to prove Mr Gresham has not been honouring his contract with EMC, by divulging corporate information and working for a rival.

"Our shareholders expect us to protect our intellectual capital - no-one can fault us for that."

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