Judge Favors MediaRECOVER in Image Recovery Software Dispute

DES MOINES, Iowa, July 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After a four-year legal battle, a judge has found LC Technologies and its president liable for defamation, tortuous interference and unfair competition in its public relations campaign against MediaRECOVER LLC. In addition, the judge found LC Technologies' "exclusive license" infringement suit against MediaRECOVER to be without any legal basis.

"I feel a great deal of satisfaction that this case was resolved favorably and that this competitor was held accountable for its actions," said Korey Bachelder, president of MediaRECOVER. "This case can now set a precedent that filing lawsuits and public relations campaigns to eliminate your competition is unacceptable, un-American and unlawful."

MediaRECOVER was awarded $157,500 in damages after the judge concluded that LC Technologies engaged in unfair competition. Both LC Technologies and company President David Zimmerman were also found liable for defamation per se and tortuous interference with business relationships.

CASE BACKGROUND:

In October 2003, LC Technologies International filed suit against MediaRECOVER alleging infringement of their software code. In addition to filing the lawsuit, David Zimmerman, chief executive officer of LC Technologies, launched a public relations campaign against MediaRECOVER claiming it had sued for copyright infringement and MediaRECOVER had pirated LC Technologies software code. Zimmerman personally caused the press release to be communicated publicly and directly to MediaRECOVER's clients and potential clients. The court order, filed July 3, 2007, in Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, found that, "the press release remains grossly inaccurate."

"I've always worked to ensure that this business is run with the highest quality and integrity," said Bachelder. "I am pleased that the court has upheld MediaRECOVER's reputation -- which is vital -- and sanctioned our business practices."

MediaRECOVER attorney George A. LaMarca said the verdict "is a message to all business owners that unfair and illegal tactics to gain market share will not be tolerated." Justin E. LaVan and George A. LaMarca of the Des Moines firm LaMarca & Landry, P.C., represented MediaRECOVER in its long legal battle.

MediaRECOVER, LLC, founded in 2001, is the leading provider of easy-to-use data recovery software and services for digital camera media and hard drives. The company is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona.