Judge Harold Baer
Under their 2009 and 2012 contracts, T-Jat Systems 2006 Ltd. shared proprietary software with Amdocs Software Systems Limited. T-Jat charged Amdocs’ violation of both agreements when it separately developed software incorporating similar technology. It also alleged Amdocs’ collaboration with SingTel Telecommunications Ltd. to produce the LoopMe mobile-device application violated the two compacts. After seeking to compel arbitration of its dispute with T-Jat, Amdocs brought parallel litigation in Israel against T-Jat’s founders and controlling shareholder. Despite denying T-Jat sanctions and a contempt order, district court granted it an antisuit injunction halting the Israeli action. Discussing the prongs of China Trade & Dev. v. M.V. Choong Yong, the court found the parties in both actions substantially similar, and determined that compelling arbitration of T-Jat’s breach claims will dispose of the Israeli action. Citing Smith/Enron Cogeneration P’ship v. Smith Cogeneration Int’l, the court concluded that the allegations underlying the Israeli claims touched matters covered by the parties’ agreements and must be arbitrated. Equitable considerations also favored an antisuit injunction. The Israeli action was vexatious.
