News: Sam Leccia Banned From IPCPR Trade Show

[SuperKrishna]

http://www.acigarsmoker.com/2011/07/16/news-sam-leccia-banned-from-ipcpr/
Some disappointing new was shared by Sam Leccia on his Facebook account moments. His statement is as follows,



I am saddened to announce that my Debut is on hold. I have been barred from attending the Cigar Show by court order. I will however, be vigorously pursuing Oliva’s failure to fulfill it’s contractual obligations to me and my family. I have faith in the legal system and I will see you all as soon as possible. Thank You all, from the bottom of my heart, for your continued support.

This is sad news and it is quite obvious the Nub brand has developed well without Sam at the helm, and one would think the marketplace would be big enough for both to get a piece of. It also leaves a sour taste in our stomach as this piece of gamesmanship is pretty petty. More as it develops…

 

[bmony]

I tend to agree. I don't know all the details but if he signed a non-compete clause I can understand why Oliva is taking him to court.

When my friend sold his bar 4 years ago, a condition on the sale was that he couldn't open another restaurant for 5 years. He opened a bar that has been successful and less overhead.

I hoped it gets worked out as both sides seem to have a passion for the industry.

sent from Jabba's hut

 

[stephen_hannibal]

I was really looking forward to getting some information on his new line. I hope they both can get this behind them.


Sent from my BatPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Thedude]

I am in transit to IPCPR now. My travel buddy had/has a meeting scheduled with Sam this week. Might have more info in the upcoming days...

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

 

[tobii3]

He signed the Contract. There's no sympathy from me.

 

[ER Doc]

This is too bad - sure wish all could play well together in the sandbox.

 

[JayD]

This is definitely a shame to hear. Hopefully we will have more details within a few days.

 

[mthhurley]

If he signed a strong non-compete and intends to counter sue as he references there, this could to be a very protracted battle. He could very well be off the market the entire time this works itself out.

 

[GoingPostal]

As with most lawsuits involving former partners they're are 3 sides to the story. Sam's, Oliva's and Public Opinion. It's sucks Leccia had to put his plans on hold but Oliva must have felt strongly enough to take this action. Just hope this doesnt drag out in court.

Im not a fan of nub, and the cain doesn't catch my intrest but we need people trying new and creative things cause that will keep the cigar industry as a whole strong.

 

[indyrob]

I don't know about this one....I can see a non-compete IF he was going to work for another company, seeing that he probably has proprietary information about the company. So would that carry through permanently since he is starting his own company?

Will be watching this.

 

[Dread]

More big press for Sam, hes not at the show but hes probably the talk of it anyways.

 

[bmony]

Statement released by Jose Oliva:

I am always amazed by how quickly people will draw conclusions with little more than marginal information.
Prudence prevents me from getting into details about this situation. I will however offer a few items for consideration.
The Oliva Cigar Co is not a big conglomerate, it is a small family owned business. The consistency of actions by the family and the company throughout the years should carry some weight when hasty generalizations are being made.
For years Oliva has provided world class cigars at reasonable prices, even when the economy allowed for gouging. We have sought to bring new and innovative products to the genuine aficionado and to always advance our craft.
Furthermore, the actual facts of the matter are not being sought by those eager to draw conclusions.
Consider that a judge heard facts that you have not and ruled accordingly. Consider also that during the course of future trials many more facts will be divulged.
The life’s work of an honorable family and company should be considered. However, if that is not compelling enough, those who have taken an interest in this dispute should follow the litigation closely. Some patience may save you some “egg on the face” as well as surprise you.



http://thecigarfeed.com/?p=7946

 

[The EVP]

Sam's a big boy and knew what he was doing when he entered into a contract with a 5-year non-compete clause when Nub became official. If he didn't like it, he could have simply remained a sales rep for Oliva or left at that point, find some financiing and start his own line. Hell, Dion started Illusione with a $15,000 business loan and built the company from the ground up.

Jose is protecting his business and I'm sure a lot of proprietary information that Sam was privy to.

 

[tx_tuff]

I have not seen any contracts, or even heard details from either side but I do see it has big cigar company (Oliva cigars) Vs one guy trying to make a living (Sam). Jose can say they are just a small family owned business all he wants but they are a big player in the cigar world and everybody knows that.

Bottom line is when the NUB came out all the marketing from Oliva was "A True Story" and it was all about Sam Leccia coming up with the concept on the cigar, everybody here knows that along with the hype that Sam also took heat from many people calling the cigar and concept BS! He didn't run and hide behind Oliva's skirt. As soon as it was announced last year that Sam would no longer be with Oliva in 2011, Oliva started putting out the press about Studio Tobac and have pretty much acted from that point on that Sam was nothing more then one person in a group that came up with the idea of NUB and Cain cigars. That put a bad taste in my mouth from the get go before the law suits etc...

It's clear to me that Oliva was great for Sam Leccia, no doubt about that. But I also believe that Sam Leccia was also good for Olvia Cigars, if not for him would they be having the same success with the Studio Tobac brand and the tours that Sam started?

Hope this doesn't take to long in the courts and it works out for both companies, sucks to have people in the busniess fighting with each other.

 

[AlohaStyle]

Yeah it's too bad for Sam. I obviously don't know the details of the non-compete and lawsuit, but he basically just posted on facebook today begging people for a job and/or leads to one. He seems pretty desperate to provide income for his family, so I think it's a shame he can't be allowed to start up his own company. I also believe Oliva has every right to protect their insider "secrets", but they should do the right thing and allow him to earn a living with some sort of quick compromise. Many non-compete clauses get thrown out if it's shown that individual cannot provide a living for his family.

I agree with tx-tuff above... I think it's BS that Oliva marketed that the Nub idea was all Sam's and now that he was leaving... they made it seem like it was a group effort that Sam was just a part of.

 

[strife]

Something stinks. Non-competes are very easy to work around, incorporate publically or start up a limited liability company in the wifes name. I don't understand why his lawyers can't work something out. Once again, something stinks.

 

[Jughead]

Something stinks. Non-competes are very easy to work around, incorporate publically or start up a limited liability company in the wifes name. I don't understand why his lawyers can't work something out. Once again, something stinks.

Yes it does and it's not Oliva.

--JH

 

[NCost]

I think none of us know enough to make an opinion about it. I don't blame Oliva at all, the non-compete was signed by both parties at the time, and now it appears he wants to ignore that and do what he wants. I think he should have thought that out better before he signed the NC. His plea for work can also be marketing to make it look bad as well...who know. Usually when you sign a NC you receive a nice payout...is he that bad w/ his cash?

Just playing devils advocate here, some things to think about.

 

[Vegan702]

Shouldn't this thread be locked like the Pepin/Fernandez thread was? Let them sort it out in court.

 

[njstone]

I'm on Team Sam, lol.

I know not all (or even many) of the fact are out, but it seems to me that Oliva propped the guy up, and now thinks it's unfair that he has "a name" in the buisness. Look, if you train a guy you know he might not stick around, you don't own them indefinately. You can't sue someone for the general know-how they learn on a job, only for "confidential information." If Sam was copying the Oliva V for his first release, obviosuly that would be different.

From Oliva's perspective, they probably feel they created a monster and it got out of control. But that's often what happens when you make monsters. Take your lumps, Jose.