6/27/2016 5:56:00 PM
HEADLINES
ITC Bans Viraj of India From Shipping to U.S.
Indian stainless steel manufacturer Viraj Profiles Ltd has been issued a limited exclusion and cease-and-desist order by the US International Trade Commission stemming from a complaint alleging the theft of trade secrets from Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc.
The ITC’s final determination in the Section 337 case bans import of stainless steel products from Mumbai-based Viraj for 16.7 years and prohibits all of the company’s activities related to the sale of its stainless steel products in the United States, including marketing, advertising and soliciting distributors for its products.
“We are gratified that the commission has recognized the harm Viraj inflicted on our business and workers in the United States,” Valbruna managing director Massimo Amenduni Gresele responded. “Trade secret theft is a serious problem. Bad actors like Viraj cannot be allowed to profit from this kind of behavior. Valbruna is proud of its investment in the Fort Wayne, Indiana, community and its workers, and they deserve to be protected when their competitors violate the law.”
Italy-based Valbruna, which operates a stainless mill in Fort Wayne, Indiana, first filed its Section 337 complaint with the ITC in September 2014. Valbruna alleged Viraj induced one of its employees to steal the company’s trade secrets and transfer them to Viraj while the ex-employee was hired by Bebitz of Germany, a Viraj affiliate.
Valbruna alleges the stolen trade secrets included proprietary knowledge regarding its processes for melting, refining, and casting or pouring stainless steel, as well as customer lists. Italian courts have previously convicted Viraj India, its general manager, and the former Valbruna employee of crimes in connection with the theft. ©2016 GlobalFastenerNews.com and Fastener + Fixing Magazine
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