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Amidst a long-standing fee dispute, renowned law firm Jones Day and patent licensing company Soverain Software find themselves embroiled in a complex legal battle that spans over two decades.
The Fee Dispute Unravels
Following a $40 million settlement with Amazon in 2005, Jones Day claims Soverain Software failed to pay fees for legal work conducted post-settlement. Despite securing licensing agreements totaling nearly $12 million for Soverain, the relationship soured during a lawsuit against electronics retailer Newegg, where a jury awarded Soverain $2.5 million, significantly less than the $34 million sought.
Fallout and Allegations
Jones Day alleges that Soverain’s founder, Christian Oberbeck, siphoned $50 million from the company, partly through a new entity lending money to Soverain. Moreover, the firm accuses former Soverain executive Katharine Wolanyck of orchestrating a fraudulent transfer of funds to herself, amounting to over $275,000.
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Legal Maneuvers and Responses
Jones Day seeks to enforce a $1.5 million arbitration award against Soverain, despite objections from the latter. Soverain argues that the suit was filed too late and contests the validity of payments made to Wolanyck, citing the vacating and subsequent reinstatement of the arbitration award.
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The Continuing Saga
As the legal saga unfolds, both parties remain entrenched in their positions. With allegations of fraud, unpaid fees, and contested arbitration awards, the Jones Day vs. Soverain Software dispute continues to captivate legal observers.
Case Details: Jones Day v. Soverain Software LLC, No. 2021-ch-03917, Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division.
