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Intellectual Property Law

: Womble Trade Secrets Blog

Former Valspar Employee David Yen Lee Sentenced for Criminal Trade Secrets Theft

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We have been following the theft of Valspar's trade secrets since its initial reporting back in 2009, see: http://wombletradesecrets.blogspot.com/2009/03/chicago-area-valspar-employee-arrested.html and http://wombletradesecrets.blogspot.com/2010/09/guilty-plea-by-former-valspar-scientist.html.

The Chicago Daily Herald is now reporting the thief, David Yen Lee, has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution of $30,975. The restitution approximates Valspar's internal costs of investigating Mr. Lee's misconduct.

You'll recall that Mr. Lee resigned, shortly after a trip to China, and when he turned in his phone and computer, Valspar found a hidden file containing unauthorized software programs including a data copying program. Data including Valspar trade secrets had been downloaded to the computer without authorization. Mr. Lee had booked a one-way airline ticket from Chicago to Shanghai scheduled to depart shortly after his resignation. Valspar is a maker of a paints and industrial coatings. It was earlier reported that the US Attorney's office had been seeking a sentence of 5 years.

Full post as published by Womble Trade Secrets Blog on December 09, 2010 (boomark / email).