Upgrade Corp. v. Michigan Carton Co.

Plaintiffs, Upgrade Corporation (Upgrade) and American Pulp Corporation (American), brought this action for the misappropriation of a trade secret against defendant, Michigan Carton Company, a manufacturer of paperboard used in the construction of cereal and other boxes.1 The jury was unable to reach a verdict, and the court granted defendant’s post-trial motion for judgment in its favor, pursuant to section 68.1 of the Civil Practice Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. 110, par. 68.1). Plaintiffs appeal.

The sole issue presented on appeal is whether the trial court properly granted defendant’s…