Memorial man sued over drilling project, trade secrets

The founders of oil and gas drilling research companies are suing a Memorial man over claims he refused to return their confidential business information after losing a business opportunity.
 
Pearl Resources and Ristra Energy filed a lawsuit on Feb. 2 in Harris County District Court against Memorial resident Brian Ayers, citing misappropriation of trade secrets, violations of the Theft Liability Act, tortious interference with a contract, business disparagement and conversion.

The plaintiffs say they worked with Ayers, sharing proprietary information with him, to secure a potential oil and gas project, but could not get financing for the venture because of Ayers's history of drilling dry holes.

According to the brief, when the plaintiffs were forced to severe their business ties with Ayers, he refused to return their proprietary information and disparaged their businesses.

Pearl and Ristra are seeking injunctive relief, damages, attorneys fees and court costs. They are being represented in the case by Houston attorney R. Tate Young.

Harris County District Court Case No. 2012-06893.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Harris County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.