Alexi escalates legal fight with Clio by filing antitrust claim | BetaKit

Alexi, a Toronto-based legaltech startup, has escalated its legal battle with Clio and Fastcase by filing an antitrust counterclaim. This comes after Fastcase, a subsidiary of Clio, sued Alexi for allegedly violating a data-licensing agreement and using its data to build a competing platform. Alexi CEO Mark Doble calls the original suit a “sham litigation” intended to stifle competition and bully Alexi.

Alexi’s counterclaim alleges that Clio is attempting to hinder competition in the AI-enabled legaltech space and that the litigation has negatively impacted its business, leading to layoffs and the disruption of acquisition talks. The suit further claims that Clio pressured Alexi to relinquish a clause in its data licensing agreement that would allow a potential acquirer to purchase Fastcase’s data. Alexi asserts its use of Fastcase’s data is within the bounds of the agreement.

Clio denies the allegations, stating Alexi’s claims are merely “noise” surrounding a dispute over a licensing agreement that prohibits commercial use of the data. The case highlights the growing competition in the legaltech industry, particularly surrounding AI-powered legal research and data assets, with Clio having recently acquired Fastcase’s parent company, vLex, for $1.4 billion CAD.

(Source：Betakit)