LOS ANGELES — A federal judge said Toro Co. has not demonstrated it is likely to win its lawsuit accusing Grizzle & Hunter Plastic Inc. of stealing trade secrets.
Such opinions sometimes encourage settlements, but there is ``no indication'' the companies will reach an agreement before the case goes to trial in September, said Pam Wagner, a lawyer for Temecula, Calif.-based Grizzle & Hunter, a small molder of irrigation components.
Toro accused several of its former employees, who started Grizzle & Hunter, of stealing product designs and client lists and violating confidentiality agreements. Officials with Bloomington, Minn.-based Toro could not be reached for comment.
U.S. District Judge Robert Takasugi in Los Angeles reviewed several charges by Toro and said June 5 that Toro's evidence did not justify a preliminary injunction to stop Grizzle & Hunter from making products while the case goes forward.
