Contact Information: Contact: Jean Bono Natural Health Trends Corp.
Natural Health Trends Corp. Obtains Temporary Injunction Against Former Executive
| Source: Natural Health Trends Corp.
DALLAS, TX--(Marketwire - March 9, 2009) - Natural Health Trends Corp. (NASDAQ : BHIP )
announced today that it had obtained a temporary injunction in its lawsuit
against Terry LaCore, the Company's former director and executive officer,
and Mr. LaCore's new company, bHIP Global, Inc. As previously disclosed,
the Company sued Mr. LaCore and bHIP Global, Inc. in 2008, charging them
with numerous unlawful acts.
The Court has found that there is credible evidence that the Company has
established a probable right to relief on causes of action against Mr.
LaCore and bHIP Global, Inc., including, among others, claims for
misappropriation of confidential and proprietary information and unfair
competition. Among other things, the Court found that the evidence
supports the Company's claims that: (i) Mr. LaCore and bHIP Global, Inc.
likely have possession of the Company's confidential and proprietary
information and are in a position to use such information in competition
with the Company; (ii) Mr. LaCore and bHIP Global, Inc. likely have
solicited the Company's employees and distributors in breach of their
agreements with the Company; and (iii) Mr. LaCore entered into multiple
contracts with the Company providing for the return of confidential and
proprietary information.
Pending a trial of the lawsuit, the temporary injunction restrains and
enjoins Mr. LaCore and bHIP Global, Inc., as well as their officers,
agents, employees and attorneys, and all persons in active concert or
participation with them, from (a) directly or indirectly contracting with,
or employing, any former or existing employee, distributor or supplier of
the Company if such contract or employment would result in that person
breaching his or her agreement with the Company and (b) obtaining
confidential information belonging to the Company with knowledge that the
information was obtained in breach of a confidentiality agreement between
the Company and any former or existing employee, distributor or supplier of
the Company. The temporary injunction also orders Mr. LaCore and bHIP
Global, Inc. to return the Company's confidential and proprietary
information.
Chris Sharng, President of Natural Health Trends Corp., said, "this
injunction gives Natural Health Trends protection against dishonest and
unlawful conduct while we pursue our lawsuit against Mr. LaCore and bHIP
Global. We also believe it offers strong validation that our claims have
merit. But most importantly, it allows us to move forward with fairly and
honestly building relationships with our distributors, employees and
vendors."
About Natural Health Trends Corp.
Natural Health Trends Corp. is an international direct-selling and
e-commerce company operating through its subsidiaries throughout Asia,
North America, and Europe. The company markets premium quality personal
care products under the NHT Global brand. Additional information can be
found on the company's website, and management encourages interested
parties to register for updated corporate information via email on the
company's home page, www.naturalhealthtrendscorp.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 -- Forward-looking statements in this release do not constitute
guarantees of future performance. Such forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to
differ materially from those anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties
include the risks and uncertainties detailed under the caption "Risk
Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2008, with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update
any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with
respect to the announcements described herein.