Polaris Industries Inc. is suing a snow bike designer who joined the firm for a few years after selling his company to it — and is now trying to launch a competing business.
The company learned about the actions of former employee Allen Mangum through statements he made on a YouTube video and podcast.
Polaris filed a complaint in U.S. District Court against Mangum earlier this week, alleging theft of intellectual property and trade secrets used in snow bike conversion kits.
A Polaris spokesperson called the lawsuit a "necessary step to protect Polaris' intellectual property and investment in innovation" and offered no further comment.
Mangum didn't respond to inquiries for comment.
The business represents a tiny portion of the $8.2 billion annual revenue for Medina-based Polaris, principally known for snowmobiles, ATVs and motorcycles.
Snow bike kits allow people to convert certain dirt bikes to ride in snow by swapping out the tires for skis and tracks.
Mangum in 2002 founded a snow bike conversion company called Timbersled Products Inc. He sold the firm to Polaris in 2015 for an undisclosed amount and joined Polaris as an employee and later a contract employee.