A former Boca Raton, Fla., man won a $15-million (U.S.) verdict Wednesday from a jury that found hardware giant Home Depot HD-N willfully stole his invention for a saw guard that keeps employees' hands safe.
“Good. Very good,” Michael Powell said, describing how he felt minutes after the jury announced its decision.
Because the jury of four women and three men found that the Atlanta-based company had acted willfully, Mr. Powell's attorneys said they will ask U.S. District Court Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley to triple the jury award.
The dispute began in 2004 when Home Depot officials contacted Mr. Powell, asking him to figure out a way to improve the safety of radial saws used to cut wood for customers. Concerned with the number of accidents that were occurring, the CEO of Home Depot ordered that safety be improved by the end of 2004, his attorney, Peter Herman said during closing arguments.
Company officials liked the “Safe Hands” gadget Mr. Powell ultimately invented, Mr. Herman said. Home Depot purchased eight of them for stores in Los Angeles and Atlanta. Officials told him they'd like to buy the devices for each of their 2,000 stores for $1,200 apiece.
After Mr. Powell balked at the price, they contacted another company to produce the safety equipment. Mr. Powell has since moved his company from Boca Raton to North Carolina.
Home Depot attorneys countered that he had signed an agreement in which he would share ideas and products with them. Further, they said, his invention wasn't unique and he didn't patent it properly.
Home Depot officials weren't immediately available for comment. During discussions with the judge, they indicated an unfavorable verdict would be appealed.
