WinZO Sues Zupee Over Alleged Corporate Espionage; Zupee Denies All Allegations
- ByStartupStory | December 4, 2024
In a significant legal battle in the gaming industry, WinZO has filed a lawsuit against multiplayer gaming app Zupee, accusing the company of corporate espionage and unethical trade practices. Zupee, however, has strongly denied the allegations.
On Tuesday, WinZO, a prominent player in the Indian gaming market, announced that it had filed a lawsuit against Zupee, seeking a permanent injunction for allegedly attempting to steal confidential business information and engage in corporate espionage. The company claims that Zupee induced WinZO employees and business affiliates to breach confidentiality agreements, aiming to exploit sensitive company data, proprietary algorithms, and trade secrets.
A spokesperson for WinZO expressed their commitment to maintaining ethical business practices, stating, “At WinZO, we uphold zero-tolerance for unethical business practices and remain steadfast in our commitment to protect what we have built. We will pursue and expose anyone who threatens the integrity of our business.”
The statement went on to emphasize the broader implications of the lawsuit, stressing the importance of safeguarding innovation in the startup ecosystem: “Innovation is the lifeblood of the startup ecosystem, and we refuse to stand idle while unscrupulous elements and competitors attempt to undermine it with deceitful tactics. This is not just about WinZO—this is about defending the very principles that drive progress and entrepreneurship.”
WinZO further alleged that Zupee used intermediary market research firms, including Data Empiric and Alpha, to reach out to its employees and business associates under the guise of “research exercises.” According to WinZO, these firms were attempting to extract confidential information regarding the company’s revenue, distribution channels, and proprietary algorithms.
In response, Zupee issued a statement denying all allegations. The company strongly refuted claims that it sought any confidential information from WinZO, stating, “We strongly deny all allegations made by WinZO against us in the matter.” Zupee also referenced the court’s decision, which it said found no merit in WinZO’s claims: “The Hon’ble Court has already taken on record Zupee’s statement that we do not have any confidential information pertaining to WinZO nor do we seek any such confidential information. Despite WinZO’s baseless and superficial claims of even having produced evidence, the fact remains that no prima facie case could be made out by WinZO and the Hon’ble Court did not grant any of the purportedly urgent interim reliefs sought by WinZO.”
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