Gillette suing razor start-up

Gillette is suing Dallas-based razor start-up ShaveLogic for allegedly stealing trade secrets. The complaint names four specific former Gillette employees who now work for the smaller company, claiming that ShaveLogic is capitalizing on their former employment with Gillette. 

Gillette says that several ShaveLogic patents and patent applications infringe on its intellectual property rights. The patents are related to the way that razor heads attach to their handles and pivot when used. In a statement, Shavelogic CEO Rob Wilson called the allegations "baseless," denying that his company used any of Gillette's ideas or concepts. 

"ShaveLogic's products are different from anything Gillette has on the market today. Every ShaveLogic invention has been created fully independently of so-called Gillette trade secrets, and all work was performed long after the expiration date of the former employees' non-competition agreements," Wilson said. "We are disappointed that Gillette has resorted to bullying tactics to attempt to stop a pioneering start-up from bringing a unique and innovative razor to market and we will vigorously defend our team, product and position."

The four workers named in the suit, all current ShaveLogic employees, include the former head of Gillette's industrial design group, a 25-year veteran of research and development and two mechanical engineers involved in design. A company spokeswoman tells the Boston Business Journal that ShaveLogic has also brought other onetime Gillette employees on board. 

This story illustrates how important it is that start-ups hire a business attorney to protect their interests and vigorously defend them in court. It can be extremely difficult to face off with a Goliath-sized corporate entity, but an experienced and savvy lawyer can help ensure you are engaged in a fair fight. 

Categorised in: Intellectual Property Law

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