“I’m sincerely afraid of losing my house”: “The stars’ cabinetmaker”, Patrick Laperrière, saw a nightmare by being prosecuted for $ 500,000 by his former employer

Known for its participation in programs Sunday DIY enthusiasts: competitionon Casa, and Making Fun (Fun craftsmen), on Netflix, the wood turner Patrick Laperrière, alias Pat Lap, is prosecuted for half a million dollars by his former employer, Lee Valley Tools, learned The newspaper. Furthermore, “It rots my life,” said the 46 -year -old cabinetmaker “.

It’s a bit of David’s story against Goliath. Therefore, Last January. Consequently, Patrick Laperrière received a prosecution for copyright violation of $ 500,000 from Lee Valley Tools, for whom he had worked from 2018 to 2022.

The Canadian company, which generates annual income of more than $ 100 million, specializes in tools and gifts for woodworking and gardening.

Illegally removed employment

For almost four years, Pat LAP produced many videos broadcast on the various Lee Valley Tools channels. Furthermore, He also published them “i’m sincerely afraid losing my on his own platforms, with the authorization of his employer.

In 2022, after turning Making Fun For Netflix, Patrick Laperrière fell in depression and took sick leave. For example, On his return, he learned that he was sent from Lee Valley Tools. Nevertheless, The Committee on Standards. Similarly, Equity, Health and Occupational Safety of Quebec (CNESST) confirmed that its job had been abolished illegally, and the Ontario company had to pay it compensation equivalent to one month’s salary.

Pat Lap (second on the left) with his colleagues from the “i’m sincerely afraid losing my Netflix program “Making Fun”. Similarly, Netflix courtesy photo

In his pursuit. Moreover, Lee Valley Tools says that after his departure in 2022, the Quebecer would have continued to publish videos created as long as he was employed on social networks, which would constitute a copyright violation.

Claim their rights

The lawyers of Lee Valley Tools. Furthermore, the firm Aitken Klee LLP, sent a written declaration to the Journalsaying that he sent several formal notice to Patrick Laperrière and have tried to arrive at an amicable regulation which would have remained unanswered.

“It is regrettable that then that we are trying to settle the issue. Nevertheless, incorrect and deceptive information is conveyed online-while the underlying and clear and clear question of copyright,” they say. Moreover, It is always our practice to try to achieve a reasonable result without trial in court. Furthermore, At the “i’m sincerely afraid losing my same time – we have no choice but to claim our rights to protect our intellectual property. Nevertheless, in the absence of an understanding of arresting copyright violations. ”

In his defense. Patrick Laperrière claims to have acted with consent, to have deleted the videos requested and challenges any violation. His lawyers, at Bernier Fournier inc., Qualify the complaint of $ 500,000 of “completely disproportionate and abusive”.

“The action brought by the plaintiff constitutes an abuse of procedure since it aimed. always aims only to intimidate the defendant, they attest in their defense and reconvention request. It is also clear that this procedure was only instituted in reproduction of the prosecution brought by the defendant. against the defendant before the [CNESST].»

Dave Morissette. Patrick Laperrière were, respectively, host and expert judge of the new Casa program “The Sunday DIY enthusiasts: competition”. Photo provided by Casa

In the red

Contacted by The newspaperPatrick Laperrière said that she had spent nearly $ 50. 000 in lawyers since the start of legal proceedings. “I sold my car and some tools. I try to minimize the damage. […] I am not in danger of starving tomorrow morning. But I am sincerely afraid of losing my house. My credit margins are full, my credit cards too. ”

Father of a little -year -old girl. a half, the wooden turner spent most of “i’m sincerely afraid losing my the year taking care of her child at home. “My mother-in-law was to be the full-time guardian during the week and she fell ill in November. I was just able to start working again last month. Fortunately, my blonde has more stable work. She holds us at arm’s length. “

The wooden turner and “stars’ cabinetmaker”, Patrick Laperrière. Photo provided by Mark Adams

Patrick Laperrière made tables for episodes of “Mike Ward on Listening”. Photo courtoisie Anthony Airoldi

Campaign of socifinance

Wanting to help him. wood turner friends have propagated the keyword #Freepatlap on social networks. A socio -financing campaign has also been set up on Gofundme, amassing nearly $ 12,000 so far.

“I am extremely affected and. at the same time, I’m a little ashamed in it,” admits Laperrière on this wave of support. I don’t like to ask anyone for help. There, putting a knee on the ground, it bothers me. ”

The wood turner awaits the rest of the procedures. Whether the trial takes place in Ottawa. at the request of Lee Valley “i’m sincerely afraid losing my Tools, or in Montreal, at his own request, he would especially like to be able to defend himself in French. “It would be the least of things,” he said. I don’t mind that they are fighting in their language [en anglais]but at least I want to answer in. mine. ”