Software developer lodges court claim against A Current Affair
A Queensland software developer who was the subject of an investigation by A Current Affair has lodged documents with the Supreme Court of Queensland, seeking damages from Nine over allegations made in the show.
Kyle Hodgetts claims his products and reputation have been hurt by the actions of A Current Affair and two other defendants named in the lawsuit. In the documents filed, he is claiming $2.4 billion in damages.
The report, fronted by journalist Chris Allen, was about Hodgetts’ alleged overdue rental payments, fraudulent tenancy applications and various name changes. Hodgetts claims it led to the subsequent derailing of his career.
“Hodgetts, who spent years developing cutting-edge video game and artificial intelligence technologies claims his pioneering developments have been frozen as a direct result of the defendants’ actions,” a statement issued to Mumbrella from Hodgetts said.
“In a statement of claim filed in the Supreme Court of Queensland, Mr Hodgetts alleged one of his products, a video game titled ‘Virtual Earth Online’ was unable to be released because of the damage caused to his reputation. Another product Mr Hodgetts was working on, ‘Evolution Based Artificial Intelligence’ is claimed to have the potential to change the technological landscape for years to come,” it continued.
Hodgetts claims to have endured years of abuse and internet trolling as a direct result of A Current Affair’s report – as well as being a victim of robbery and vandalism.
“Internet trolls and scammers backed up by fake news from well-known media outlets can result in billions of dollars damage, not just to the developers but also to the Australian economy.”
Nine’s market capitalisation is around $900 million, but Hodgetts claims: “Although this claim is substantial it is not unreasonable to expect a judgment in excess of $100 million considering the severity of their breach and given my history as a pioneering developer and the fact that I have almost market ready products that cannot realise their potential because of the defendants actions,” he told Mumbrella.
Nine’s online version of the original report appears to have been taken offline, however an excerpt of one of the program’s investigations into Hodgetts can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3RjanjAPOQ
Nine declined to comment.
Given Nine’s huge $$$ investment in another QLD based software development company, this looks particularly murky for the network. Trying to derail a competitor?
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“This video has been removed by the user.”
WTF!
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more info at http://www.acalawsuit.com
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Hi Kyle,
If you are reading this, could you please contact everyone regarding VEO.
Cheers
Dave
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Kyle Hodgetts, had been a [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy] through out his life. [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy] . Good one Kyle. His brother [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy] . The list goes on and on. Don’t believe anything this man says.
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Maybe it’s time to [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy]
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kyle hodgetts [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy]
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Hello Kyle, or anyone who knows where or how I can contact him.
Please contact me to how I may help Kyle be successful.
And finish any outstanding products.
Hahahahaha
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