Keppel Insurance ("Keppel"), a major player in the insurance field, has been sued for copyright infringement by a newly-formed motor insurance agency, Risque StrategiQue ("Risque").
The facts alleged by Risque are as follows :
Risque had formulated a policy to market warranty insurance for used cars. The agency had initially approached Keppel early this year to be its underwriter and made its first presentation to the group on 24 March 1999. Materials, including a market feasibility survey carried over a period of 6 months, were distributed pursuant to research obtained with "much painstaking labour" on Risque’s part.
However, a subsequent disagreement between the 2 parties resulted in the dissolution of the proposed joint venture. Risque then managed to enter into a partnership with UMBC Insurance ("UMBC") and asked Keppel to return the confidential materials provided at the presentation. Keppel was also required not to launch a similar product for 6 months.
