Captiv8, Inc., a leading marketing technology company, has filed a lawsuit against an unknown individual referred to as John Doe, alleging harassment and defamation that have disrupted its business operations. The complaint was filed on September 26, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. Captiv8 accuses John Doe of engaging in a campaign of harassment that includes sending threatening messages and spreading false information about the company.
According to the court documents, Captiv8 claims that since June 2024, John Doe has been harassing its employees and business partners through emails sent from an anonymous account. These emails contained false accusations and attempted to damage Captiv8's reputation by alleging illegal activities such as selling alcohol to minors. The defendant also tried to incite Captiv8’s competitors to join in a smear campaign against the company. "This unlawful behavior has damaged Captiv8’s business and caused mental distress to its employees," states the complaint.
Captiv8 asserts that this harassment has not only disrupted its economic relationships but also violated several laws. The company cites intentional interference with prospective economic relations and contractual relations as part of its claims. Additionally, it accuses John Doe of defamation under California Civil Code sections 44 and 45 for spreading false statements intended to harm Captiv8's reputation.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief from the court. They demand actual, compensatory, and punitive damages in amounts to be determined at trial. Furthermore, they request injunctive relief to prevent further unlawful conduct by the defendant. Captiv8 also seeks restitution for any ill-gotten gains obtained by John Doe through these actions.
Representing Captiv8 in this legal battle are attorneys Daniel Prince, D. Scott Carlton, and Philip Crane Raucci from Paul Hastings LLP. The case is presided over by Judge Austin Lam under Case ID CGC-24-618473.