The Tokyo District Court has fined the operator of major sushi chain Kappa Sushi 30 million yen, or about 200,000 dollars, for using data stolen from its rival Hamasushi.

Kappa Create and its former senior official, Otomo Hideaki, were accused of using data on how much Hamasushi was paying its suppliers. Kappa Create's former president, Tanabe Koki, had stolen the data from Hamasushi's parent company.

The defendants have claimed their innocence, saying the data were not business secrets and they had no intention of making gains illegally.

On Monday, the presiding judge at the court said the data were business secrets and the fruits of Hamasushi's negotiations with its business partners.

The judge pointed out that Otomo illegally used the data to study how to develop new products. He added that the defendants obstructed fair competition and have not compensated Hamasushi.

The judge also handed down to Otomo a 30-month prison sentence, suspended for four years.

Hamasushi's parent company, Zensho Holdings, described the ruling as very appropriate, and called on Kappa Create to take it sincerely.

Kappa Create issued a comment saying that it will analyze the ruling and consider its response.

A suspended prison sentence for Tanabe, who stole the data, has already been finalized after he plead guilty.