From the way the story was described, it sure seems like there should be some sort of legal recourse for Outlaw, no? Surely there were contracts that were broken. To have the development and manufacturing completely and abruptly abandoned and to be left with a fraction of the product's IP with no way to finish its development seems really strange. I'm not suggesting some other conspiracy, it just seems weird that that's the end of the story.
To me, Outlaw not having a legal claim to the 978 design documentation is all-telling. I wonder if there were any valid contracts in place at all- other than perhaps a manufacturing agreement.
The Outlaw e-mail tries to make it sound like they were unwitting victims of a circumstance with no possible [or desirable] recourse. Sounds like there are several serious lessons to be learned [by Outlaw] here.
You're talking about CHINA. If the contract was with the Chinese manufacturer, they effectively have no recourse. Even if they try to enforce a contract and win, the judgments tend to be small and unenforceable. It would be like getting a debt judgement against someone and having the local marshal telling you to get lost when you try to enforce an asset seizure or collection attempt. Happens ALL the time in China. It's really the law of the jungle. Whoever has the deepest pockets and/or the support of the local political cadres calls the shots.
Now if Outlaw had any legal leg to stand on (don't know if they do or don't), it's always possible to go after the "big north American company" in a court in north America. I'm sure some bean counter will sort out the cost/benefit analysis of that route, if it's even open to them, and they'll proceed how they must.
I don't think anyone is getting their jollies over this event.
Best,
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