Total Settles Exel Suit for $10 Million

Exel Transportation Services said it had settled its suit again Total Transportation Services, with Total paying Exel $10 million after Exel alleged unlawful access to trade secrets and other confidential and proprietary information.

Exel's suit, filed in April 2006 in Dallas, alleged that Total used computer passwords to hack into its computer system.

According to the lawsuit, certain Total Transportation executives, all of whom were former employees of Exel, systematically accessed Exel’s computer system and e-mail accounts to obtain trade secrets and other proprietary information in order to help establish Total Transportation.

Both companies provide contract logistics services in the United States and Canada.

“We are pleased we were able to quickly detect this situation, and subsequently bring about the successful resolution of this litigation, which demonstrates the commitment of Exel Transportation Services to protecting its confidential and proprietary information,” Exel Transportation Services’ President Jim Damman said in a statement.

Total released a statement that said, “Unbeknownst to [Total], wrongdoing was committed against Exel Transportation Services, and Total Transportation Services LP sincerely apologizes.”