The US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has overturned a USD 10 million jury verdict involving a pioneering shrimp breeding technique. This decision pertains to a case initially brought forth by Primo Broodstock, a Texas-based shrimp genetics firm, against American Penaeid, a subsidiary of American Mariculture.

The Origins of the Dispute

The dispute traces back to January 2017 when Primo Broodstock filed suit in the Florida district court, alleging trade secret misappropriation among other claims against American Penaeid and its CEO, Robin Pearl. At the heart of the matter was Primo’s claim to have developed a revolutionary method for breeding disease-resistant shrimp through meticulous genetic monitoring and selective breeding techniques.

Primo asserted that its proprietary breeding method resulted in shrimp offspring with unmatched disease resistance and adaptability to varying environmental conditions. The company emphasized its strict protocols to safeguard genetic codes and breeding methodologies, aimed at preventing replication by competitors.

Legal Wrangling and Trial Drama

During the trial proceedings, which garnered attention for their dramatic twists, Senior US District Judge John Steele’s abrupt departure to catch a flight posed a pivotal challenge. The court brought in a magistrate judge to oversee deliberations in Steele’s absence, a move contested by the parties involved. This decision ultimately led to the appellate court’s ruling to vacate the verdict and order a new trial.