Usually when we hear the California based digital cinema camera maker, RED in the same breath as competitor ARRI, it usually involves the mountains of overdrawn pixel-peeping debates and various camera comparisons found throughout the inter-webs. Today, however, new details have emerged concerning messy and ongoing behind the scenes corporate espionage allegations between the two camera manufactures.
In a suit that was officially filed on December 21st of 2011 in the U.S. District Court in California, RED alleges ARRI is responsible for the unlawful invasion of privacy through e-mail account hacking, conversion of trade secrets, and false advertising amongst others. The complete 32 page court filing can be viewed below courtesy of The Wrap:
For those unfamiliar with the RED/ARRI corporate fiasco, ARRI’s former Vice President of Market Development, Michael Bravin, plead guilty to the unlawful hacking of Brand Pro Film & Digital’s e-mail accounts in September. RED had been in communications with Brand Pro during that time period and believed ARRI received vital inside information regarding the undisclosed proprietary technologies found in the RED Epic amongst other sensitive information.
Red is informed and believes, and thereupon alleges, that Bravin saved or forwarded, either directly or verbally, the information obtained from the Band Pro emails to other Arri executives and employees… – Suit Excerpt
The allegations continued with claims that ARRI conducted questionable and unlawful marketing practices ahead of the Alexa launch. Bravin is even alleged to have frequented REDUSER.net, RED’s official company community forum, under a false name and bashed the company’s products outright. RED claims:
In advertising specifically targeting RED customers, Arri identifies films that have been shot on the Alexa. Among others, it lists the movie “I Hate You, Dad.” In actuality, this movie was shot on RED.
If and when the case makes it to a jury trial, RED is seeking damages, disgorgement, restitution and injunctive relief according to The Wrap.
