Patient care at Midlands Health Network was disrupted when management was served with a High Court injunction. Software supplier Medtech Ltd alleges its proprietary health management product has been unlawfully passed on to competitors.
Primary health care providers across Midland region use Medtech’s web-based product for practice management support. Pinnacle was established by doctors as a not-for-profit business hosting their IT requirements. Pinnacle is licensed to use Medtech’s software. The licence is not transferable. Pinnacle is required to prevent the software from being accessed or copied.
The High Court was told a routine email request from Pinnacle to Medtech for an updated licence key allowing continued access had attached to it an unrelated email trail identifying that Pinnacle staff had shared without authority a previous licence key with a company called Valentia Technologies (NZ) Ltd. This company has a cosmopolitan air about it. Directors reside variously in Pakistan, Ireland and South Australia.
Justice Whata said the email is sufficient evidence to support a serious case of conspiracy to unlawfully use Medtech software. An injunction, pending trial, was issued against Midlands Health Network, Pinnacle and Valentia. They must preserve all emails, files and documents relating to use of Medtech’s software. Justice Whata said any hint of evidence being destroyed would result in the companies’ directors being in contempt of court.
Medtech Ltd v. Midlands Health Network Ltd – High Court (27.11.18)
19.012