Is it theft of trade secrets or academics collaborating on a project? That question is at the center of a case where two top hyrology researchers are facing criminal charges. Ehad Meselhe and Kelin Hu have been indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to steal trade secrets, attempting to steal trade secrets, and conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse. The two were arraigned last month.
The indictment alleges Meselhe and Hu, both former employees of Baton Rouge-based Water Institute of the Gulf, engaged in a plan to steal computer trade secrets, including the Institute's Basin Water Model. The model is a highly valuable and closely protected computer program allowing the Water Institute to project how the natural environment of the Mississippi Delta will change over time. Meselhe developed the model and he and Hu worked on perfecting the model. The case shines a light on the highly-competative nature of research firms vying for valuable contracts from state, federal and private agencies needing their skills.
The case broke when Hu was arrested after other scientists at the Institute spotted him downloading large amounts of sensative information related to a project for the Environmental Defense Fund to a personal computer he brought into the institute. He was arrested by Baton Rouge police and the FBI was also called in to take charge of the computer.
Meselhe's attorney Mike Magner told media partner WWL-TV, "Dr. Meselhe developed the computer modeling programs at issue in this case, most of them are and have been available to the public, scientific and engineering communities, and other public and non-profit institutions for the purpose of protecting Louisiana’s coast."
Meselhe maintains he was transparent in his plans when he left the Institute for rival Tulane University's Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering. Hu later resigned and went to work under Meselhe at Tulane. According to The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate both men continued their research collaboration on the Basin Water Model project.
Both Meselhe and Hu were arrested in June, they have pleaded not-guilty to the charges.