Xapo Execs Lose Bid to Dismiss Breach of Contract Lawsuit
Five Xapo employees, including CEO Wences Casares, have lost their bid to dismiss a lawsuit brought on by their former employer LifeLock.
Five Xapo employees have lost their bid to dismiss a breach of contract lawsuit brought on by former employer LifeLock.
The update is the latest in a case first brought to light by Fortune when it revealed LifeLock was seeking damages from the defendants, including current Xapo CEO Wences Casares and COO Federico Murrone, related to the development of IP it says would become the foundation of the bitcoin services firm.
has alleged that the defendants did not disclose the "nature and extent" of their role in developing the project, which it argues was created on its computers and using its resources. Xapo has denied the allegations, stating that LifeLock was aware of the project and it relinquished its claim to any technology developed.
LifeLock secured the services of members of the current Xapo team when it purchased Lemon, a digital wallet platform, for $42.6m in December 2013. Xapo has since raised $40m in venture capital, adding former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and ex-Citi CEO John Reed to its advisory board in May.
The full filing finds Judge Peter Kirwan overruling objections by the plaintiffs that the breach of contract suit filed by LifeLock be dismissed for lacking sufficient facts. In his notes, the judge also alludes to an agreement allegedly signed between the companies waiving claims to any bitcoin-related technology created.
Kirwan writes:
The judge goes on to note that LifeLock has alleged Casares "misrepresented" Xapo to obtain a letter he could claim released him from liability for pursuing the venture. LifeLock further has disputed whether its representative had the authority to sign the letter.
The defendants in the case will next be required to attend a hearing on 24th July.
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The full text of the filing can be found here.
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