Eight count suit alleges HDNet’s unifying mixed
martial arts organization, “HDNet Fights” is the work
product of the NABC.
Indianapolis, IN April 29, 2008 (Lawfuel) — “HDNet Fights”, the
unifying mixed martial arts organization televised on
Mark Cuban’s HDNet cable channel, should cease
operations immediately because it was born out of a
breach of trust, misappropriation of trade secrets,
and other harmful actions on the part of HDNet, the
North American Boxing Council (NABC) said in a lawsuit
filed March 17th in the Marion Superior Court in
Indianapolis, Indiana.
The eight count suit seeks to restore the rights of
the NABC to its proprietary business and marketing
model for a unifying mixed martial arts organization,
and to recover damages for the ongoing illegal torts
committed by HDNet.
The complaint states the NABC’s confidential proposal
for a unifying mixed martial arts organization was
made to HDNet in January 2007. In response to the
proposal, HDNet taped two NABC mixed martial arts TV
events in Indianapolis in May 2007. HDNet began
broadcasting the NABC mixed martial arts events in
June 2007 and subsequently placed the events in
regular rotation on the HDNet schedule. In August
2007, HDNet advised the NABC it had rejected the
NABC’s proposal. However, that same month, HDNet
secretly incorporated its own mixed martial arts
organization, “HDNet Fights Inc”. HDNet proceeded to
introduce “HDNet Fights” to the public beginning with
press statements in September 2007 as a unique
unifying mixed martial arts organization falsely
representing it as the original product of HDNet.
The suit seeks to recover damages as determined by a
jury trial.
Peter French of Lewis & Kappes, an Indianapolis law
firm, serves as counsel for the NABC. The lawsuit can
be seen at http://nabc.net/complaint.pdf
Contact:
Lewis & Kappes
Peter S. French
(317) 639-1210
http://lewis-kappes.com
About the NABC: The North American Boxing Council is a
professional Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts sanctioning
body with its United States office in Indianapolis,
Indiana.
NABC boxing championship bouts have been televised on
HBO Boxing, ESPN and FOX Sports. Boxers who have
fought for the NABC belt include Evander Holyfield,
Félix Trinidad, Larry Donald, Ricardo Mayorga, Stevie
Johnston, Joshua Clottey, Ian Gardner, and Damian
Fuller. Promoters who have held NABC contests include
Don King, Gary Shaw, Fred Berns, and Lou Duva.
NABC mixed martial arts championship matches have been
televised on cable and pay per view.
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