Aldi accuses Lidl and two ex-employees of stealing trade secrets
German supermarket chain Aldi is suing two former employees and its major rival Lidl for alleged theft of trade secrets.
In a complaint filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina on Friday, March 1, the grocer alleged that Lidl recruited a former Aldi director of real estate, who violated a non-compete clause and non-disclosure agreement signed upon her leaving Aldi.
In the suit, Aldi also alleged that one of its former real estate assistants, who was set to begin working for Lidl on March 11, “misappropriated” confidential information and provided it to Lidl.
Aldi claims the two employees conspired to pass confidential information to Lidl. The trade secrets included building cost estimates, project costs and critical provisions to be included in lease and purchase agreements.
According to the complaint, Lidl confirmed that it had hired the former real estate director to the same position within its own company despite being aware of her non-compete clause.
Lidl also reportedly admitted that she had shown Aldi’s confidential real estate strategy map to at least one Lidl employee.
The low price supermarkets, both headquartered in Germany, compete head-to-head across Europe and the US.
Aldi is seeking damages in excess of $75,000 for violation of federal and state trade secrets law, breach of contract, breach of the duty of loyalty, and unfair and deceptive trade practices.
WIPR has contacted Aldi and Lidl for comment.
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