11/18/09

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho health care and home products company
Melaleuca Inc. is accusing a Utah company of raiding some of its
top sales staff, infringing on company trade secrets and competing
unfairly.

Melaleuca filed a lawsuit in federal court Monday against Max
International and its top sales executive.

The lawsuit seeks more than $10 million in damages and asks a
judge to prohibit Max International from hosting a meeting
scheduled Saturday and described by Melaleuca lawyers as another
attempt to raid top sales talent.

Max International is a health care products company based in
Salt Lake City. Messages left for Max legal counsel were not
immediately returned to the Associated Press Wednesday.

The lawsuit accuses Max of luring Melaleuca sales staff with
lucrative payments and violating noncompete agreements signed with
Melaleuca.


(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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