Trek Technology v FE Global Electronics: Patent Rights Dispute & Discovery of Internal Emails
In Trek Technology (Singapore) Pte Ltd v FE Global Electronics Pte Ltd, the High Court of Singapore addressed an appeal by the third defendant regarding an order for discovery of internal emails in a patent dispute over 'thumb drive' technology. The plaintiff, Trek Technology, sought the emails based on the assertion that the third defendant's senior officers communicated mainly by email. Choo Han Teck J allowed the appeal in part, reserving the right to make the discovery application before the trial judge, emphasizing the need for fair and open proceedings.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Appeal allowed in part; the right to make the discovery application was reserved before the trial judge.
1.3 Case Type
Intellectual Property
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Patent dispute over 'thumb drive' technology. The court addressed the discovery of internal emails, emphasizing fair and open proceedings.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trek Technology (Singapore) Pte Ltd | Plaintiff | Corporation | Appeal allowed in part | Partial | |
| FE Global Electronics Pte Ltd | Defendant | Corporation | |||
| Electec Pte Ltd | Defendant | Corporation | |||
| M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers Ltd | Defendant | Corporation | Appeal allowed in part | Partial |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Choo Han Teck | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
4. Facts
- The dispute concerns patent rights of a product known as the ‘thumb drive’.
- The third defendant averred they had met the plaintiffs to discuss collaboration plans.
- Correspondence were exchanged primarily by email.
- Plaintiffs applied for specific discovery of all internal email within the third defendant’s organisation.
- The assistant registrar granted the order for discovery of documents between July 2000 and May 2002.
5. Formal Citations
- Trek Technology (Singapore) Pte Ltd v FE Global Electronics Pte Ltd and Others and Another Suit, , [2003] SGHC 185
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Suit 609/2002 filed | |
| Suit 604/2002 filed | |
| Court order for re-amended statement of claim | |
| RA 281/2003 filed | |
| Decision Date |
7. Legal Issues
- Discovery of Documents
- Outcome: The court reserved the right to make the discovery application before the trial judge.
- Category: Procedural
- Sub-Issues:
- Specific discovery
- Relevance of documents
8. Remedies Sought
- Discovery of Documents
9. Cause of Actions
- Patent Infringement
10. Practice Areas
- Discovery of Documents
- Commercial Litigation
11. Industries
- Technology
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No cited cases | |||||
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Rules of Court (Cap 322, R 5, 1997 Rev Ed) O 24 r 5 | Singapore |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Thumb drive
- Patent rights
- Discovery of documents
- Internal email
- Specific discovery
15.2 Keywords
- Patent
- Discovery
- Technology
- Singapore
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Civil Practice | 75 |
| Evidence | 60 |
| Patent Amendments | 50 |
16. Subjects
- Intellectual Property
- Civil Procedure
- Discovery