Force India’s dispute with Team Lotus over allegations that the Anglo-Malaysian squad copied designs while building its 2010 car will be heard on a date set by an English High Court in January next year.
The hearing on the claim of intellectual property infringement has been scheduled on January 16, 2012 against 1 Malaysia Racing Team, Team Lotus’ chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne and Italian company Aerolab.
“Separate criminal proceedings are currently ongoing in Italy in respect of the wrongful disclosure of confidential information, as a consequence of the filing by Force India F1 Team Ltd. of a complaint with the competent authorities,” read a statement from Vijay Mallya-led outfit. “In respect of these proceedings, articles in the Italian press have recently revealed that Tony Fernandes, Mike Gascoyne and Jean Claude Migeot (of Aerolab) have been formally charged.”
The Silverstone-based outfit developed the VJM03 with aerodynamic components company Aerolab Srl., however the agreement between the two ceased after Force India reasoned that there was a confidentiality breach.
Aerolab initiated proceedings against Force India for the early termination of services and acquired €1 million into an escrow account as a security from the Formula 1 squad.
“Force India believes that Aerolab Srl. may have, during the course of its contract with the team, disclosed Force India F1 Team Ltd's intellectual property to 1 Malaysia Racing Team Ltd and Mike Gascoyne, with whom Aerolab Srl. was at that time working through a sister company,” the statement pointed out.
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