Zimbabwean mobile service provider Telecel Zimbabwe is being sued by Trumbelt Computers for $340 000, following allegations that Telecel infringed upon Trumbelt’s copyright after a business deal went sour.
Peterson Tengende, the chief executive, and Trumbelt Computers has been named as the plaintiffs, while Telecel Zimbabwe is listed as the defendant. The company has also been given ten days to respond to the claims if they wish to defend themselves.
According to The Herald, “Trumbelt claims the botched deal would have raked in more than US$2 million in revenue. The company submitted that in January this year, they engaged Telecel in negotiations for consultancy services with a view to introduce marketing concepts for the telecoms company.”
After initial discussions, Trumbelt Computers submitted literary work in the form of a report, which highlighted the proposed marketing strategy, and contained details on how both parties would contribute to a mobile quiz programme called MegaPromo.
“Defendant, without plaintiffs’ knowledge, assignment or permission, proceeded to copy and implement the report and its contents, thus infringing the plaintiffs’ copyright,” Trumbelt Computers said in a statement.
“Defendant has been unjustly enriched at the expense of the plaintiffs and as a result of the defendant’s infringement, plaintiffs have suffered damages in the sum of US$340 000, being the reasonable estimate of plaintiffs projected profit,” Trumbelt added.
Trumbelt claims that Telecel refused, neglected or declined to rectify the infringement or pay the damages due to it.
Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor
