News-Press Sues The Independent

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ampersand Publishing,
LLC, owner and operator of the Santa Barbara News-Press,
filed a complaint in U.S. District Court against The Santa
Barbara Independent. The filing charges The
Independent with copyright infringement, misappropriation of
trade secrets, unfair business competition, and intentional and
negligent interference with prospective economic advantage and
contract.

According to the complaint, The Independent obtained
two different confidential unpublished articles belonging to the
News-Press and published one of them, in violation of the
copyright laws. The Independent was not authorized to
possess or publish either article. The News-Press has
alleged that these articles constituted trade secrets that were
misappropriated by The Independent.

It is the intent of Ampersand Publishing to protect its
confidential materials and trade secrets. Ampersand is seeking
unspecified actual and punitive damages, injunctive relief and
attorneys’ fees.

Contacts: Agnes Huff Communications Group, LLC Agnes Huff, PhD,
310-641-2525