“This complex trial ventured into uncharted legal waters and culminated in a multi-billion dollar damages award which we now reverse,” said Judge Frank K. Friedman, writing for the panel.
Implications for Trade Secrets Litigation
The case has garnered considerable attention from trade secrets practitioners, both for its substantial verdict and the numerous legal issues it raises.
Pegasystems expressed satisfaction with the appellate court’s decision. “We are extremely pleased by today’s decision throwing out an award we believe was never rational,” the company stated.
A representative for Appian did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Appian $2 billion trade secrets : Background of the Case
Appian initiated the lawsuit in 2020, accusing Pegasystems of misappropriating over a dozen trade secrets. The allegations centered on a government contractor who had access to Appian’s software due to his involvement in a project for another company.
Appian $2 billion trade secrets : Legal Representation
Pegasystems is represented by Monica T. Monday and Michael J. Finney of Gentry Locke and E. Joshua Rosenkranz, Christopher J. Cariello, Eric A. Shumsky, Jeremy Peterman, James A. Flynn, and Jonas Wang of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.
