Standard Microsystems Corp. v. Winbond Elec. Corp.
(Cal. App., Civil Procedure, Commercial Law, Ethics & Professional Responsibility, Intellectual Property, Professional Malpractice, Trade Secrets) In plaintiff’s suit against a Taiwanese corporation and an Israeli corporation claiming that they misappropriated the design of a microchip used in manufacturing personal computers, trial court’s entry of default judgment against defendants is reversed where: 1) undisputed facts plainly establish defendants’ attorney’s fault necessary to trigger a right to mandatory relief; 2) plaintiff’s argument that relief was barred by Code of Civ. Proc. section 1008, which restricts motions for reconsideration and renewals of previously denied motions, is rejected; and 3) to the extent a literal application of section 1008 might conflict with the provisions of section 473(b), the latter must prevail.
