RPNZ sues partner

The local operation of a major Australian property database business is heading to court next month in a $1 million dispute against the Real Estate Institute over a failed deal to share property information.

RPNZ, an offshoot of Brisbane-headquartered RP Data Information Services, has filed a claim in the High Court at Auckland against the institute over the deal's failure.

RPNZ is alleging breach of confidentiality and the use of its intellectual property rights in the proposed joint venture with the institute, particularly in the design and building of a statistical service. The case also involves problems over a web-hosting arrangement with land database provider Terralink.

Institute president Howard Morley said yesterday that members were working with the institute's legal representative David Bigio preparing a defence.