Visiongateway, under CEO Martin Wotton, made headlines in March when staff on a glossy lifestyle magazine owned by Mr Wotton quit over unpaid wages and superannuation.

VisionGateway, a US-registered business, also produced software products.

The company last week moved to stop former employees from "stealing" the software by taking it to other companies.

Visiongateway filed an application in Brisbane's Supreme Court last week.

Among those named in the civil action are Kenneth Edmonds and Robert McFarland, both former employees of Visiongateway, as well as MoretonSoft Pty Ltd - for which Mr Edmonds now works - Allan Boyd and Wizardsoft Pty Ltd.

The court heard yesterday that Visiongateway believed a software product developed by it was "stolen" in March and was now to be marketed by the respondents.

However, Mr Edmonds, Mr McFarland and Mr Boyd have sworn under oath that the software product was their own invention.

In April, a group of Visiongateway shareholders passed a vote of no confidence in the board of the company at an extraordinary general meeting, amid claims of lost millions in superannuation by disgruntled staff.

The meeting was organised by Mr Edmonds, Mr McFarland - who were employed as UK-based business developers in May 2007 - and Tony Fawaz, another former Visiongateway staffer.

The case before Judge John Byrne continues.