Legal Question in Business Law in California

Re: Do we have a case

Your son definitely needs to have a long talk with an attorney going into the details involved in this matter.

Customer lists are generally considered to be trade secrets of the company. However, in order to remain secret and protectible you have to keep the customer list secret.

Information is needed about what agreements, if any, were made with the "evil buyer". Additionally, what role is the manufacturer playing when they know that your son was to be the exclusive distributor?

There are a lot of questions here. However, bottom line is that it would appear that there is a case that should be investigated immediately. Failure to act quickly could prejudice your son's rights to recover.

J. Caleb Donner

LEGAL WARRIORS (R)

Re: Do we have a case

Your son certainly does have a case, and probably has a case on each of several theories including breach of contract and torts such as conversion, misappropriation of business secrets, intentional interference with contract, and intentional interference with prospective business advantage.

The strength of the case depends, however, on the quality of the evidence available and whether the other side has any defenses not evident from your presentation of the facts.

If the parties and/or the business is located in Northern California, I would be pleased to provide a free consultation and perhaps we could find a way to pursue the matter within your budget, or I could refer you to another source of low-cost legal assistance.

Re: Do we have a case

A lot more detailed information is needed, specifically, is there a contract between your son and the manufacturer and what are the exact terms. your question is too complex to answer here.

Re: Do we have a case

Look at Courtesy Temporary Service, Inc. v. Camacho , 222 Cal.App.3d 1278

That case deals with stealing customer lists.