Hilton Sued for Stealing Info From Rival

Starwood claims purloined plans used to copy W luxury hotels

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 17, 2009 2:17 AM CDT

(Newser) – Starwood Hotels is accusing archrival Hilton of using stolen documents to build its new luxury brand in record time, Marketwatch reports. Starwood—which says the pilfered information amounts to a "blueprint" for building a luxury chain like the successful W hotels—is suing Hilton and two ex-Starwood execs for theft and corporate espionage. Hilton says the suit is "without merit" and still plans to launch its top-end Denizen hotels next year.

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The W Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel owned by Starwood, in New York's Times Square. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Starwood, owner of the Sheraton and Weston brands, among others, is demanding that Hilton "destroy all documents and information relating to the promotion and rollout of the Denizen brand." (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

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This is the clearest imaginable case of corporate espionage, theft of trade secrets, unfair competition and computer fraud. - court filing by Starwood Hotels

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COMMENTS

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merde

Jul 7, 2010 4:43 AM CDT

There is no such thing as Hotel espionage , in 30 plus years in the trade No one ever made me sign a relase and I worked for over 30 years in the trade 10 of them at westin before starwood transform them in a copy of motel 6 ........

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espionage • Hilton Hotels • lawsuit • hotels • Starwood Hotels

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Hilton Sued for Stealing Info From Rival