Splater v. Thermal Ease Hydronic Systems, Inc.

Michael J. Corrigan, Judge.

{¶ 1} The issue in this appeal is whether the court abused its discretion by denying plaintiff Durand Splater’s motion to compel the production of certain trade secrets held by nonparty Noveon, Inc. Splater sought by subpoena Noveon’s formulae for certain antioxidants used by manufacturers of polyethylene (“PEX”) tubing. Noveon resisted the subpoena on the grounds that its formulae were trade secrets. In rejecting Splater’s guarantee of confidentiality, Noveon pointed out that one of the named defendants in Splater’s action was a direct competitor, who, as a party…