TVA Group Inc. et al. v. TQS Inc. et al., (1999) 104 O.T.C. 203 (SC)

• Judge: H. Sachs, J.
• Court: Superior Court of Justice of Ontario (Canada)
• Case Date: June 17, 1999
• Jurisdiction: Ontario
• Citations: (1999), 104 O.T.C. 203 (SC)

TVA Group Inc. v. TQS Inc. (1999), 104 O.T.C. 203 (SC)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [1999] O.T.C. TBEd. JL.201

TVA Group Inc. and TVA Sales and  Marketing Inc. (plaintiffs) v. TQS Inc. and Glenn Davies (defendants)

(Court File No. 98-CV-160067CM)

Indexed As: TVA Group Inc. et al. v. TQS Inc. et al.

Court of Ontario

Superior Court of Justice

H. Sachs, J.

July 13, 1999.

Summary:

TVA, a French language television network obtained an injunction prohibiting its rival, TQS, from inducing its employees to terminate their employment and join TQS. The injunction permitted advertising job vacancies in a publication in general circulation in Ontario, but specifically restrained TQS from offering TVA employees a bonus as an incentive to accept employment. TQS advertised in a publication widely read by persons in the broadcast industry and three TVA employees accepted jobs with TQS despite the offer of a $50,000 bonus by TVA. TVA moved to have TQS found in contempt of the injunction.

The Ontario Superior Court dismissed the motion where TQS did not violate the letter or the spirit of the injunction.

Contempt - Topic 690

What constitutes contempt - Judgments and orders - Injunctions - Disobedience of - See paragraphs 1 to 41.

Cases Noticed:

Cartier Inc. v. Cartier Men's Shop Ltd. (1988), 20 F.T.R. 15; 22 C.I.P.R. 117 (T.D.), affd. (1990), 111 N.R. 152; 32 C.P.R.(3d) 383 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 3].

Sheppard and Sheppard, Re (1976), 12 O.R.(2d) 4 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Jetco Manufacturing Ltd. and Alexander (1987), 18 O.A.C. 313; 57 O.R.(2d) 776 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 7].

Canada Metal Co. et al. v. Canadian Broadcasting Corp. et al. (No. 2) (1974), 4 O.R.(2d) 585 (H.C.), affd. (1975), 11 O.R.(2d) 167 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 38].

Commission des valeurs mobilières du Québec v. Lassonde (1994), 67 Q.A.C. 137 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 40].

Counsel:

B.H. Bresner and D. DiPaolo, for the plaintiffs;

N. Smitheman and B.D. Sells, for the defendants.

This motion was heard on June 17, 1999, before H. Sachs, J., of the Ontario Superior Court, who released the following judgment on July 13, 1999.