Trade Secrets and Intellectual Property Law
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Learn about the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, elements of a misappropriation claim, theories of trade secret protection, and the balance between encouraging innovation and preventing misconduct. Dive into legal definitions and scenarios where trade secrets can be defeated.
Trade Secrets and Intellectual Property Law
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Presentation Transcript
Intellectual Property Boston College Law School February 5, 2007 Trade Secret – Part 1
Trade Secret • Sources of law • Uniform Trade Secrets Act • Restatement (Third) of Unfair Competition • Economic Espionage Act (Federal) • Elements of misappropriation claim • (1) Info must be a trade secret • (2) Reasonable steps to keep secret • (3) Misappropriation
Trade Secret • Theories • Incentive Theory (Property) • Deterrence Theory (Tort) • Balance • Encourage incentive, deter bad behavior • Permit free circulation of info and labor
Uniform Trade Secrets Act • §1. Definitions • (4) “Trade secret” means information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process, that: • (i) derives independent economic value … from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means ..., and • (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy
Trade Secret • Defeated by disclosure • (1) Publication (including patent) • (2) Sale of product where secret apparent • (3) Disclosure by third party • (4) Inadvertent disclosure • (5) Government-required disclosure
Administrative • Next Assignment • Read through III.C.3 – Reverse Engineering