Wal-Mart ordered to pay Cuker Interactive more than $12 million over trade secrets

A federal jury seated in Fayetteville awarded Cuker Interactive more than $12 million in damages from a former business relationship with Bentonville-based Wal-Mart Stores.

The retailer began the litigation when it filed a breach of contract complaint against Cuker in 2014 regarding a contract to build the Asda website, Wal-Mart’s grocery/retail chain located in the United Kingdom.

Cuker in 2014 filed a counterclaim against Wal-Mart alleging the retailer swiped trade secrets and did not keep their end of the deal. The case was heard over the past 10 days in the court of U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks in Fayetteville. A verdict was rendered late Friday when the jury absolved Cuker from the breach of contract claim and finding in their favor on four separate claims regarding stolen trade secrets.

The total jury award to Cuker from Wal-Mart includes breach of contract by Wal-Mart ($30,629), and Coker’s unjust enrichment claim against Wal-Mart ($400,000).

Claims for misappropriation of trade secrets against Wal-Mart totaled just over $12 million.

Wal-Mart provided Talk Business & Research the following statement after the verdict: “We respectfully disagree with the verdict. In our view, the finding and damages awarded are not supported by the facts. We believe the verdict wrongfully holds Walmart responsible for taking the very materials which Cuker transferred or licensed to us under contract. We are considering all options, including an appeal.”