Now? He could shout, stomp, point fingers, terminate contracts and even terminate people, but it wouldn’t change the truth. Isaac could blame no one but himself.
He was searching for the right words to convey that singular truth when his phone chirped, the sound soft and unobtrusive. The caller ID flashed an internal extension belonging to the head of Quantum Ventures’ legal department, Ben King.
Mustering every ounce of control he possessed, Isaac picked up the phone and greeted the other man with a facade of calm confidence. “Hey, Ben. I’d tell you to give me the good news, but I know better if you’re phoning rather than delivering it in person.”
Ben chuckled. “No worries. I’m a lawyer. It’s part and parcel of my job description. ‘Deliver bad news succinctly and from a distance.’ I’m just sorry to say it’s definitely bad news.”
Isaac turned away from Jonathan, not sure he could keep his worried expression out of his brother’s line of sight. “Might as well lay it out there, then.”
Ben didn’t mince words. “Taylor, Lord and Mitchum, the firm representing Date Me, intends to file suit for patent infringement and intellectual-property theft, and they’re not only naming Caffeinated Brainiacs, but they’re also going after Quantum Ventures.”
Isaac pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m not surprised.”
“They’re filing in federal court.”
His stomach dropped. “I’d like to revise my answer.”
“I thought you might.”
“What does that mean for us, Ben?”
“It means a hell of a lot of media coverage. They’re seeking an injunction that would halt any and all work related to the development of Power Match as well as financial remedies for damages done and claims madeby the psychologist, Jaline Harkins, alleging the inferiority of the Date Me app when compared to Power Match.”
“They’re built on similar software platforms,” Isaac said through gritted teeth. “If she said Date Me sucks, she’s implying Power Match sucks, as well.”
“Not necessarily. Date Me’s parent corporation, Clockwork Machinations, could be entitled to damages for defamation, loss of investor faith and damage done to public opinion. Jaline was a highly disgruntled employee, and she’s been running her mouth and giving interviews without the knowledge or consent of Brainiacs’ senior management. She acknowledged as much when I questioned her this morning. But it doesn’t matter. Legally, we’re on the hook.”
“What are we talking about in dollar figures, Ben?”
“Easily seven figures if we settle. Likely eight if we go to court.”
Swiveling his chair, Isaac moved the mouthpiece away and focused on Jonathan. “Has Jaline Harkins been terminated?”
“No.”
“Do it. Now. Tell her Legal will be contacting her with a termination agreement.”
“I’ll get it done and have the draft to you this afternoon,” Ben promised.
“The Power Match project is shut down, effective immediately.” He knew Quantum Ventures would take a huge loss, but there was no other choice. The liability Quantum Ventures was exposed to was enormous, significant enough to negatively affect their stock values as well as business expansion and profitability over the next five to ten years. “This has to be done if you have any hope of salvaging Caffeinated Brainiacs’ future, Jonathan.”
“I get it.” His little brother stood, dug his cell out of his jeans pocket and held up the phone. “I’ll just go out in the hall.”
“Use the conference room. Better to do it as privately as possible. Even my people talk.”
Jonathan gave a single nod and left the room.
Isaac returned his attention to the attorney. “Ben, make sure that the termination agreement doesnotoffer her a damn dime in severance. She’s lucky we aren’t pressing charges. If she balks at all, tell her I’ll put everything I have into making sure she can’t even get a job dumping slop buckets on a pig farm.”
“Remind me to never piss you off.”
“I shouldn’t have to.”
“I can always count on you to tell it like it is. And, Isaac?” He waited until Isaac hummed with irritation. “I think we need to be proactive—go to plaintiff’s counsel, tell them everything we’re doing to resolve the issue and offer a private settlement. Include an airtight nondisclosure so the numbers are private, but we should make a good-faith effort to intercede before filing our response.”
“Do you think they’re willing to negotiate?”
“It can’t hurt to at least propose settlement, include some public statements from Quantum Ventures that make it clear we didn’t intend to cause Date Me any harm. Point out that they’re a good service—good enough we thought they were worth competing with.”