Two home furnishing rivals in legal battle over trade secrets

Restoration Hardware has filed a lawsuit against Crate and Barrel, accusing the rival brand of stealing confidential information to gain a competitive edge.



Restoration Hardware claims Crate and Barrel implemented a similar strategy that features food and beverage services at certain gallery locations.



Restoration Hardware filed a lawsuit on Monday, Jan. 30, in California’s Superior Court against its rival; as well as against Crate and Barrel CEO Douglas Diemoz and food and beverage manager Kimberly Ahlheim — two former Restoration Hardware executives. The lawsuit accuses the pair of stealing trade secrets and breaching contracts with their former employer, the Chicago Times said.



The lawsuit seeks that Crate and Barrel cannot open a food and beverage operation in any of its stores for a year; the executives erase all proprietary knowledge they have, and that the competitor would prevent Ahlheim from holding a position that would leverage her proprietary knowledge for a year, the Chicago Times said.



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