This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Ex-Cartier exec fires back in trade secrets case
A former Cartier advertising executive being sued for attempted digital theft of trade secrets is asking a federal judge to dismiss the case on grounds that she was permitted to access the data in question and never obtained it anyway.
New York--A former Cartier advertising executive being sued for attempted digital theft of trade secrets is asking a federal judge to dismiss the case on grounds that she was permitted to access the data in question and never obtained it anyway.
In July, Cartier parent company Richemont North America Inc. filed a lawsuit in New York federal court against Melissa Pordy, its former director of off-line advertising, claiming that she asked a subordinate to download confidential advertising information to be used when she joined rival Tiffany & Co. and tried to entice that same employee, who once was her assistant, to follow her to Tiffany. Richemont accuses her, among other things, of violation the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, or CFAA.
RELATED CONTENT: Cartier sues former exec for trade secret theft
Last week, Pordy fired back, filing a motion asking the court to dismiss all seven claims in the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be revisited.
A memorandum supporting the motion to dismiss filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York states that “In sum, all of these claims commonly rely upon facts that assert that Ms. Pordy, while employed by [Cartier], attempted to obtain information to use after her employment ... information that she never obtained and never used. Accordingly ... these claims must fail.”
The memo argues that between the date she was informed she was being laid off (March 28) and her last day of employment (April 25), it is “undisputed” that she had authorized access to the information in question and nowhere is it alleged that she accessed, or attempted to access, Cartier’s computer systems after she left the company.
While the amended complaint alleges that Pordy “induced [her former assistant] to access a protected computer without authorization and in a manner that exceeded [her] authorized access to obtain confidential information in violation of CFAA,” there is no pled allegation that Pordy actually ever got any of this information her former assistant allegedly obtained through the computer system.
“To the contrary, the amended complaint alleges that Ms. Pordy requested [her former assistant] provide her with the purported information, which confirms that Ms. Pordy never received it,” court papers state.
Thereby, the alleged violation of the CFAA, the sole claim conferring jurisdiction to federal court, should be thrown out, the memo argues.
It also states that
Pordy remains an employee of Tiffany. When asked about the case back in July, Tiffany said it does not comment on employee’s personal matters.
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.


The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.