Aon sues Marsh over misappropriation of trade secrets

Aon Consulting has filed a lawsuit against Marsh over misappropriation of trade secrets, deceptive trade practices, unfair competition, and tortious interference with a prospective economic advantage.

Aon, through its Radford business unit, offers compensation data surveys to its customers, which are used in connection with various compensation-related activities. Aon compiles and analyses the compensation data provided by the participating organizations. Access to the survey reports and data is restricted to participating organizations that share certain compensation data with Aon.

Aon says that Marsh competes with Aon as it offers compensation consulting services through its business unit Barney & Barney Insurance Services.

In a document filed at the US district court for the Northern District of Illinois, Aon claims that Marsh, without Aon’s knowledge or authorization, improperly gained access to Aon’s secure website by using a participating organization’s username and password, and then downloaded Aon’s survey reports and data, or otherwise improperly obtained copies of Aon’s survey reports and data.

Marsh then used this information to provide compensation consulting services to their customers, according to the document. As a result of Marsh’s actions, Aon has suffered irreparable injury and seeks damages, a permanent injunction, costs, and attorneys’ fees as authorized by the applicable federal and state laws.

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