Force India slapped with big pay-out

Force India had accused wind-tunnel operators Aerolab and Caterham technical chief Mike Gascoyne of systematic copyright breaches which it valued at 13 million pounds 20.6 million.

But while Force India were awarded 25,000 euros for minor copyright breaches,the court also ordered it to pay 846,000 euros in fees owed to Aerolab for development work.

The court found that Caterham,formerly Team Lotus,had copied some computer files of Force India,mainly as a short cut for its own tests. Certain small Force India-designed components were then used in Team Lotus8217;s 2010 car.

8220;The outcome is plainly a very satisfactory one for all of the defendants but particularly for Mr. Gascoyne who was sued in his personal capacity,8221; said lawyer Tim Bamford.

Gascoyne,in Malaysia for this week8217;s Malaysian Grand Prix,expressed his reaction via Twitter.

8220;Just to put the record straight I was totally cleared of any wrongdoing and all the claims made against me by Force India were dismissed,8221; he said.

Force India did not comment on their large pay-out but said the copyright infringement would now be referred to Formula One8217;s governing body.

London8217;s Daily Telegraph said Force India8217;s losses could rise to four million pounds including legal costs.