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According to Fisker Automotive, the company has emerged the victor in a lawsuit that pitted the niche hybrid automaker against Tesla Motors, the niche electric car automaker. The original lawsuit, brought by Tesla, alleged that Henrik Fisker stole designs for the Tesla Model S for his Fisker Karma Hybrid. Fisker claimed this was false and, using a clause in his contract with Tesla, sought arbitration. The arbitrator agreed with Fisker, essentially piling on more bad news for Tesla, which has had to cut staff, close an office and panhandle from investors. Fisker's statement below the jump.
Fisker Statement On Arbitration
Fisker Automotive Inc, and Fisker Coachbuild, LLC today announced that a JAMS Arbitrator has issued an interim award finding in favor of Fisker Coachbuild, LLC, Fisker Automotive, Inc., Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler and against Tesla Motors Inc. on all claims.The Arbitrator selected by the parties to decide Tesla's allegations ruled in favor of Fisker Coachbuild, LLC, Fisker Automotive Inc., Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler. In so doing, the Arbitrator expressly found that "the evidence is overwhelming that Fisker did nothing wrong" and that "Tesla's assertion of violations of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act by Fisker were baseless and neither brought nor pursued in good faith."
"The finding by the Arbitrator says it all," said Thomas Newmeyer of Newmeyer & Dillion, Fisker's lawyers in the case. "My clients have been completely vindicated of any wrongdoing."
"We are very pleased with the ruling in favor of Fisker Coachbuild, LLC, Fisker Automotive, Inc., Bernhard Koehler and myself," said Henrik Fisker, CEO of Fisker Automotive Inc. "Despite the burden and expense of Tesla's lawsuit, Fisker Automotive, Inc. has been able to continue with its business plan and production schedule. We are still on schedule to deliver our first production vehicle, the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid, 4 door luxury sports sedan by 4th Quarter 2009. Today's world needs new alternative energy vehicles and the focus should be to build and deliver these vehicles as soon as possible."
[Source: Fisker]
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