Appeals court lifts ban on Black Donuts managers

London – A Finnish court of appeal has a lifted a five-year ban on managers of tire consulting firm Black Donuts Engineering (BDE), it was confirmed to ERJ.

On 31 Aug. the district court of Pirkanmaa sentenced three executives of the firm, including the company's president and CEO , to bans between three and five years for ‘violating secrets’ of Nokian Tyres, their former employer.

Speaking to ERJ, BDE president and CEO Kai Hauvala said the Turku court of appeal made the decision to lift the ban on him and the two other executives on 19 Sept.

Asked if the decision applied to the ruling made against BDE, Hauvala said “Black Donuts, as a company haven't made any decions yet if it would appeal or not."

The 31 Aug ruling by the court of Pirkanmaa decided that BDE should pay €300,000 in fines imposed on the corporation and €537,500 in loss of benefits to the state.