Jury awards software company nearly $1 billion in damages

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Epic alleged that Tata Consultancy Services employees, while on contract with Kaiser Permanente in Portland, inappropriately downloaded thousands of documents from Epic on its proprietary properties. Tata maintains that it did not “misuse or derive benefit” from the documents.

A jury last Thursday passed a verdict favorable to Epic. On Friday, it awarded Epic $240 million in compensatory damages and $700 million in punitive damages, though U.S. District Judge William Conley said that he is likely to reduce the award.

Tata said in a statement released over the weekend that they plan to appeal the decision.

“TCS plans to defend its position vigorously in appeals to higher courts,” the company stated. “TCS appreciates the trial judge’s announcement from the bench that he is almost certain he will reduce the damages award.”

A judgment will be entered in the case sometime in the next two months, and an appeal can be filed a month after judgment is entered.

Epic has declined to comment on the verdict.