In general, a trade secret refers to any confidential information which provides an economic benefit to the trade secret holder because that information is generally unknown to competitors, and the holder made efforts to keep the information secret.

May 6, 2024 · Trade secrets are secret practices and processes that give a company a competitive advantage over its competitors. Trade secrets may differ across jurisdictions but …

Trade secrets are vital IP assets held by innovators. Protection of those assets against theft and misappropriation is essential to foster innovation and promote economic growth.

What Laws Protect Trade Secrets? Trade secrets are protected by a combination of state and federal laws, which prescribe a combination of civil and criminal penalties for trade secret “misappropriation”—the improper acquisition, disclosure, or use of a trade secret.

The WIPO Guide to Trade Secrets and Innovation offers a comprehensive yet accessible overview of trade secret issues for a diverse audience, including policymakers, business managers, universities, and other innovation-focused organizations.

As of 2024, 48 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, have adopted the UTSA. The UTSA defines a "trade secret" as: Is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

Jan 22, 2025 · Summary Trade secrets remain crucial to companies around the world, preserving their most sensitive and valuable information. From energy to healthcare to agriculture, companies in every industry seek to better develop, protect and enforce their trade secrets and prevent unfair competition.

Trade secrets play an important role in developing commercial competitiveness, economic gain, and strategic positioning. This toolkit will help you identify trade secrets and understand how to protect them properly. A trade secret is a type of IP.

Oct 13, 2024 · Under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (“UTSA”), a trade secret is defined as information that derives independent economic value because it is not generally known or readily ascertainable, and it is the subject of efforts to maintain secrecy.

A comprehensive, digestible overview of trade secrets in the modern innovation ecosystem.