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Shana Hiatt Granted Injunction Against Wpt


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So what do you guys think about this...http://www.cardplayer.com/poker_news/news_...class=PokerNewspublished on: Friday Sep 22, 2006Former World Poker Tour Host Hiatt Takes ActionInjunction Granted on Hiatt's Behalf TodayOne of poker’s most well-known faces belongs not to a poker player, but to former Playboy model and World Poker Tour host Shana Hiatt. Despite finding success as poker’s best-known television hostess, Hiatt left the show after several seasons. Ironically, her departure from the WPT came just when many of the shows featuring her began to air around the globe. Her departure left many fans wondering when and if they would ever see this beautiful television personality again. Today, Hiatt took another step toward making it back to the poker television airwaves. According to an injunction granted this morning by a judge on the California Superior State Court in Los Angeles, the WPT can no longer keep the stunning hostess from pursuing two job opportunities at NBC. According to the complaint filed on Hiatt’s behalf by her lawyer Paul Sorrel of Lavely & Singer, Hiatt was in line to find work on NBC’s highly popular National Heads-Up Poker Championship and a new show called Poker After Dark.As described in today’s court documents, things were looking good for Hiatt’s return until August of 2006. It was at this point that Steve Lipscomb informed NBC that Hiatt could not work for the network due to a noncompete clause in her contract with the WPT. Judge Linda K. Lefkowitz, however, disagreed with Lipscomb’s claims, granting today’s injunction on Hiatt’s behalf. According to the judge’s decision, the injunction now stops the WPT from “seeking to prevent or prohibit Plaintiff (Hiatt) from seeking employment with NBC in connection with appearances in two poker-themed television shows by claiming or asserting the existence of a noncompetitive or other exclusivity agreement.” If Lipscomb and the WPT wish to pursue their claim about Hiatt’s contract and continue trying to block her from working, they now have to appear in a Santa Monica courtroom and show why the injunction should not be enforced. Card Player spoke with Hiatt’s attorney about today’s decision. “It's unfortunate that the World Poker Tour is engaging in conduct that we believe is unlawful and in violation of Shana Hiatt’s right to appear on poker television programs. We intend to hold the World Poker Tour accountable for its actions,” Sorrell said.At the time of this writing, the World Poker Tour could not be reached for comment.

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The several pros are going to use this as their smoking gun. "See!, it's not just us who have a problem with the WPT."
This just goes to show that the WPT is trying to control the poker world and anyone associated with it. Shana doesn't even work for them any longer and they are trying to stop her from working elsewhere. This gives good reason for those other guys to pursue their lawsuit. Lets see what Master Daniel has to say about this?
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This just goes to show that the WPT is trying to control the poker world and anyone associated with it. Shana doesn't even work for them any longer and they are trying to stop her from working elsewhere. This gives good reason for those other guys to pursue their lawsuit. Lets see what Master Daniel has to say about this?
Let me assist Daniel on this one although I'm sure he doesn't need my help. In the business world, all businesses have the right to ask or, in some instances, require that their employees sign a non-compete agreement. This agreement has a great deal of value to the company and is meant to protect it from competition from employees who have garnered confidential information, such as client lists, secret formulas, other trade secrets, and other information from their employment with the company and no other reason.Here's a good example. X company hires Shana Hiatt as a chemist. She is asked to sign a non-compete and is given consideration for the agreement beyond just mere employment, say $1k. The non-compete will say that Shana cannot compete against X company in the same industry using confidential information, which may be detailed in the agreement, without the written consent of X company. Competition can be defined as starting a company or working for another employer.So WPT has every right to ask an employee for a non-compete and its interests are valid in doing so. However, for you non-attorneys, non-competes are very difficult to draft correctly because the Courts and legislatures don't like them as they restrain trade, and keep productive individuals out of the workforce. Thus, I'm fairly sure that the WPT non-compete does not comply with the technical requirements of a valid non-compete. The more interesting question is this: What happens if Shana has lost opportunities for employment, would she be entitled to compensation from the WPT for its attempt to enforce an illegal non-compete?Peace out.
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Let me assist Daniel on this one although I'm sure he doesn't need my help. In the business world, all businesses have the right to ask or, in some instances, require that their employees sign a non-compete agreement. This agreement has a great deal of value to the company and is meant to protect it from competition from employees who have garnered confidential information, such as client lists, secret formulas, other trade secrets, and other information from their employment with the company and no other reason.Here's a good example. X company hires Shana Hiatt as a chemist. She is asked to sign a non-compete and is given consideration for the agreement beyond just mere employment, say $1k. The non-compete will say that Shana cannot compete against X company in the same industry using confidential information, which may be detailed in the agreement, without the written consent of X company. Competition can be defined as starting a company or working for another employer.So WPT has every right to ask an employee for a non-compete and its interests are valid in doing so. However, for you non-attorneys, non-competes are very difficult to draft correctly because the Courts and legislatures don't like them as they restrain trade, and keep productive individuals out of the workforce. Thus, I'm fairly sure that the WPT non-compete does not comply with the technical requirements of a valid non-compete. The more interesting question is this: What happens if Shana has lost opportunities for employment, would she be entitled to compensation from the WPT for its attempt to enforce an illegal non-compete?Peace out.
Ya but she brought her hot bod and tude to the show and not much more. WPT had nothing to do with that.Her case is more like a ball player that brings physical talent to a team, the team has no right to say he can't play for another side later.
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We need to protect Mushu. For all those posting nudity and links to nudity, you might want to edit your posts:

Any member found posting content or images containing nudity, sexual references, or any other derogatory content or images will be banned without notice. This includes linking to other resources containing such material such as websites, newsgroups, or other content feeds.

http://www.fullcontactpoker.com/poker-foru...78&hl=terms

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We need to protect Mushu. For all those posting nudity and links to nudity, you might want to edit your posts:

Any member found posting content or images containing nudity, sexual references, or any other derogatory content or images will be banned without notice. This includes linking to other resources containing such material such as websites, newsgroups, or other content feeds.

http://www.fullcontactpoker.com/poker-foru...78&hl=terms

Ya clean it up a bit this thread is too sweet to lose.
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We need to protect Mushu. For all those posting nudity and links to nudity, you might want to edit your posts:

Any member found posting content or images containing nudity, sexual references, or any other derogatory content or images will be banned without notice. This includes linking to other resources containing such material such as websites, newsgroups, or other content feeds.

http://www.fullcontactpoker.com/poker-foru...78&hl=terms

Please tell me exactly who this rule is protecting.I don't know any one who hasn't looked at nudie pics before they were like 7 or 8 yrs old and not liked them. Please explain. I'm stupid.<sw>
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