Joe works as an engineer at ACME Auto Works, Inc.; an automobile motor manufactu

Question

Joe works as an engineer at ACME Auto Works, Inc.; an automobile motor manufacturer. While researching ideas for an electric motor, he thinks of a revolutionary new battery. He discusses his idea with his friend Jane, who works as an engineer at one of ACME’s competitors. Joe and Jane decide to quit their job and open up their own company. They discuss their roles in the business, and each agrees to contribute $50,000 for start-up costs. The two quit their jobs, sign a lease on a building, and begin working on their invention. Joe discovers that his network access in ACME has not been terminated, and logs in to the system to download the contact information for ACME’s customers. He then calls up one of ACME’s top customers and convinces that company to hold off on signing a contract with ACME until Joe’s motor is in production. Six months later, Joe and Jane have incurred $500,000 in debt and are facing eviction for failing to pay rent. Joe has also received a cease and desist letter from ACME Auto Works, Inc. What are the possible legal issues that Joe and Jane are facing, including the topics of intellectual property, business organizations, contracts, torts, and criminal liability.

Explanation / Answer

Joe and Jane are facing following legal issues.

1. Unlawful access to the Acme's systems with intention of defrauding and obtaining value.

2. Identity theft

3. Theft of confidential data from The systems of Acme.

4. Breach of contract with the landowner by failing to pay the rent.

5. Breach of contract with financial institution by failing to repay the debt.

6.Possible issue fo infringement of an intellectual property of someone else and passing it off as own invention.

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