Trade Secret Law | Intellectual Property Law Center

<!DOCTYPE html> <html xml:lang="en" lang="en" dir="ltr"> <head prefix="og: http://ogp.me/ns# fb: http://ogp.me/ns/fb# website: http://ogp.me/ns/website#"> <title> Trade Secret Law | Intellectual Property Law Center | Justia </title> <meta name="robots" content="index,follow" /> <meta name="referrer" content="origin" /> <meta name="referrer" content="unsafe-url" /> <meta name="trigger-ga" content="1" /> <meta name="is-li" content="0" /> <meta name="page-type" content="Portal: Consumer Content Page" /> <meta name="description" content="Learn about the elements of a claim to protect a trade secret, which is information that has independent economic value because it is not generally known." /> <meta property="og:title" content="Trade Secret Law " /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Justia" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://justatic.com/v/20241011123659/branding/social-media/x2/justia.jpg" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2018-04-25 11:06:24" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2024-10-13 01:01:29" /> <meta property="og:admins" content="656268335,686786921,25900864" /> <meta property="og:app_id" content="119529808075661" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.justia.com/intellectual-property/trade-secrets/" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Learn about the elements of a claim to protect a trade secret, which is information that has independent economic value because it is not generally known." /> <meta property="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta property="twitter:site" content="@JustiaCom" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.justia.com/intellectual-property/trade-secrets/" /> <link href="https://company.justia.com" rel="publisher" />  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-P2QTGCR');</script>  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <script>window.jshides = [];</script> <link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_144.svg" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="144x144" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_144.png" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="128x128" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_128.png" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/x-icon" sizes="16x16 24x24 32x32 48x48 64x64 96x96 128x128" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/justia.ico" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" type="image/png" sizes="57x57" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_57.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" type="image/png" sizes="72x72" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_72.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" type="image/png" sizes="114x114" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_114.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" type="image/png" sizes="144x144" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_144.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" type="image/png" sizes="57x57" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_57.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" type="image/png" sizes="72x72" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_72.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" type="image/png" sizes="114x114" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_114.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" type="image/png" sizes="144x144" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_144.png" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" sizes="16x16 24x24 32x32 48x48 64x64 96x96 128x128" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/justia.ico" /> <link href="https://justatic.com/v/20170607171015/branding/favicon.ico" rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="all" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/css/core.css" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://justatic.com"/> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.googletagmanager.com"/> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.google-analytics.com"/> <script>(function(){if(top!=self){top.location.replace(self.location.href);}})();</script> </head> <body class="content-left-sidebar bg-white consumer-center sticky-footer" data-project="portal" data-directive="j-gdpr" data-privacy-policy-url="https://www.justia.com/privacy-policy/">  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-P2QTGCR" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <header data-directive="j-topnav" id="header" > <div id="sticky-nav"> <div class="burger-wrapper"> <div id="hamburger" data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header" data-gtm-label="Hamburger" class="hamburger"> <div class="inner-ham" style="pointer-events:none"> <span class="lns ln2-1" style="pointer-events:none"></span> <span class="lns ln2-2" style="pointer-events:none"></span> </div> </div> <div id="header-nav"> <div class="inner-wrapper"> <div class="logo-wrapper"> <a href="/" title="Justia" class="logo"> <img data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header" data-gtm-label="Logo" src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/branding/logos/sites/justia.svg" alt="Justia"> </a> </div> <div class="buttons-wrapper"> <div class="topnav-button search-icon" id="search-icon-button"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/white/search.svg" alt="search" width="22" height="22"/> </div> <div class="topnav-button sign-in-icon" id="sign-in-icon-button"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/white/profile.svg" alt="My Account" width="20" height="20"> </div> <div id="accounts-buttons-wrapper"> <span class="topnav-button login-buttons" id="login-buttons-wrapper"> <span class="login-buttons-wrapper"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Account" data-gtm-label="Log In" data-directive="j-login" href="https://accounts.justia.com/signin?destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.justia.com%2Fintellectual-property%2Ftrade-secrets%2F" class="login">Log In</a> <a href="https://accounts.justia.com/" class="sign-up">Sign Up</a> </span> </span> </div> <div id="search-form-wrapper"> <form action="/search" method="get" class="search-form jform" id="search-form"> <div class="input-wrapper"> <input type="text" name="query" value="" id="querybox" title="Search" placeholder="Search"> </div> <button type="submit"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/search.svg" alt="search" width="22" height="22"/> </button> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="subnavigation"> <div class="subnavigation-wrapper"> <ul> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Find a Lawyer" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers">Find a Lawyer</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Ask a Lawyer" href="https://answers.justia.com/">Ask a Lawyer </a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Research the Law" href="https://www.justia.com/">Research the Law</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Law Schools" href="https://www.justia.com/law-schools/">Law Schools</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Laws & Regs" href="https://law.justia.com/">Laws & Regs</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Newsletters" href="https://connect.justia.com/case-law-summary-newsletters">Newsletters</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Marketing Solutions" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/">Marketing Solutions</a> <div class="sublist"> <div class="sublist-section"> <ul> <li class="sublist-section-title"><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Justia Connect" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/connect/">Justia Connect</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Pro Membership" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/connect/#pro-membership">Pro Membership</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Basic Membership" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/connect/#basic-membership">Basic Membership</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="sublist-section"> <ul> <li class="sublist-section-title"><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Justia Lawyer Directory" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/lawyer-directory/">Justia Lawyer Directory</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Platinum Placements" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/lawyer-directory/platinum/">Platinum Placements</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Gold Placements" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/lawyer-directory/gold/">Gold Placements</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="sublist-section"> <ul> <li class="sublist-section-title"><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Justia Elevate" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/elevate/">Justia Elevate</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="SEO" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/elevate/search-engine-optimization/">SEO</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Websites & LSA Management" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/elevate/law-firm-websites/">Websites</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Blogs" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/elevate/law-blogs/">Blogs</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="sublist-section"> <ul> <li class="sublist-section-title"><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Justia Amplify" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/amplify/">Justia Amplify</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="PPC Management" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/amplify/cpc-ppc/">PPC Management</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Google Business Profile" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/amplify/google-business-profile/">Google Business Profile</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Social Media" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/amplify/social-media-networking/">Social Media</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="sublist-section"> <ul> <li class="sublist-section-title"><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Justia Onward Blog" href="https://onward.justia.com/">Justia Onward Blog</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </header> <div id="main-content" class="main-content font-opensans has-topnav-padding"> <nav class="breadcrumbs small-font font-helvetica"> <a href="/">Justia</a> <span class="breadcrumb-separator"></span> <a href="/intellectual-property/">Intellectual Property Law Center </a> <span class="breadcrumb-separator"></span> Trade Secret Law </nav> <div class="primary-content-wrapper"> <div class="primary-content"> <div class="wrapper has-padding-content-block-x2large has-no-top-padding blocks clearfix"> <div class="title-wrapper"> <h1 class="heading-1 has-margin-top-10">Trade Secret Law </h1> </div> <div class="content-links -semibold content-headings -large-gap"> <div class="set-maxlimit -max-landscape-tablet to-large-font"> <p> 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. Unlike copyrights, patents, and trademarks, trade secrets are not registered with a government agency. However, in some cases, they can represent a company’s most valuable intellectual property assets. </p> <p> The UTSA has been enacted by most states, but in states where it has not been enacted, infringement or “misappropriation” of a trade secret remains a common law tort. </p> <div class="block -boxed -with-icon to-normal-font "> <header class="block-header bg-justia-blue"> <svg class="jicon -large -fill-white" role="img" title="Information" alt="Information" viewBox="0 0 270 270"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" href="/justatic/shared/images/icons/round-simple-icons-sprite.svg#information"></use> </svg> <span class="heading-3 has-no-margin color-white">Common Trade Secrets Issues</span> </header> <div class="block-wrapper has-no-top-margin"> <ul class="list-no-styles has-no-left-padding list-with-icons -small-gaps list-gutter--normal -default-dot-bullet"> <li class="line-height-1-5"> <span class="text">Non-disclosure agreements</span> </li> <li class="line-height-1-5"> <span class="text">Non-compete agreements</span> </li> <li class="line-height-1-5"> <span class="text">Infringement</span> </li> <li class="line-height-1-5"> <span class="text">Enforcement</span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <p> Trade secrets are easily misappropriated. Often, they consist of information that can be memorized or noted down by employees, customers, developers, suppliers, and others. The more people know a trade secret in an economy where employee turnover is high, the harder it is to keep the information secret. If a competitor, journalist, or blogger gets hold of the trade secret, the information may be put to use immediately. Once a trade secret becomes public, its status as a trade secret may be lost. </p> <h2 class="heading-3"> Examples of Trade Secrets </h2> <p> Information that can be kept as a trade secret includes formulas, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, or processes. Some examples of trade secrets include customer lists and manufacturing processes. The economic value of the information can be actual or potential. For example, if you have not actually started producing a particular useful device according to a blueprint, you can still protect the blueprint as a trade secret on the basis that it has the potential for economic value. </p> <p> Sometimes the information that is protected as a trade secret may also be protectable as an invention under a patent. However, in order to obtain a patent, you must make a public disclosure of how an invention can be reproduced. Patent protection is a limited monopoly for a specific time, whereas trade secret protection continues until the trade secret is publicly disclosed. The same invention cannot receive patent and trade secret protection at the same time. </p> <h2 class="heading-3"> What Do You Need to Prove in a Trade Secret Claim? </h2> <p> In most states, in order to prove a trade secret claim, you will need to prove that: </p> <ul> <li>The subject matter at issue is a trade secret;</li> <li>You made reasonable efforts to prevent the trade secret from being disclosed; and</li> <li>Somebody else misappropriated the information. </li> </ul> <p> There are two types of illegal appropriation of a trade secret. It may be acquired improperly, or it may involve a breach of confidence. A competitor can lawfully use independent discovery, acquire a trade secret through an accidental disclosure based on the trade secret owner’s failure to reasonably guard the secret, or use reverse engineering. </p> <p> Some companies wonder what the court considers “reasonable” efforts to guard trade secrets. In general, disclosure of trade secrets should be limited to a need-to-know basis. Anyone to whom the trade secret must be disclosed should have to sign a non-disclosure agreement, and when possible, a non-compete agreement. These agreements can include clauses that restrain employees from working on confidential information from their home computers. Any documents or items that contain trade secrets should be conspicuously marked “confidential.” The policy regarding trade secrets should be clearly articulated in the company handbook, and measures should be taken to restrict access to the trade secrets, such as by issuing employee badges or installing locks and passwords. </p> <div class="block -boxed -with-icon to-normal-font -white-bg"> <div class="block-wrapper has-no-top-margin internal-icon-wrapper"> <div class="icon-wrapper"> <svg class="jicon -large -fill-blue" role="img" title="Information" alt="Information" viewBox="0 0 270 270"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" href="/justatic/shared/images/icons/round-simple-icons-sprite.svg#information"></use> </svg> </div> <p class="text">Successful trade secrets lawsuits can result both in injunctions preventing further misappropriations and in monetary damages.</p> </div> </div> <p> Since no government entity monitors trade secrets, enforcement of trade secrets is largely a matter of policing by private companies that can afford to do so. However, in the case of intentional theft of trade secrets, the federal Economic Espionage Act of 1996 and some state laws provide criminal penalties. Misappropriation of trade secrets is also a form of unfair competition. </p> <p class="color-dove-gray"> <time datetime="2024-10-13" pubdate> <em> Last reviewed October 2024 </em> </time> </p> </div> <div class="-show-desktop"> <p data-directive="j-expand" class="heading-3 expand-v2 cursor-pointer -display-block -expanded" data-collapsed_class="hidden" data-expanded_class="-expanded" data-section="mobile-navigation-list"> Intellectual Property Law Center Contents <span>   <svg class="down-arrow -fill-blue jicon -medium" role="img" title="Mobile Navigation" viewBox="0 0 270 270"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" href="/justatic/shared/images/icons/simple-icons-sprite.svg#down"></use> </svg> </span> </p> <div id="mobile-navigation-list" class="-collapsed -expanded"> <ul class="list-no-styles has-no-left-padding has-no-bottom-margin"> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/">Intellectual Property Law Center </a> <ul class=""> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/patents/">Patent Law </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/copyright/">Copyright Law </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/">Trademark Law </a> </li> <li> <a href="#" class="color-black">Trade Secret Law </a> <ul class=""> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trade-secrets/noncompete-agreements/">Non-Compete Agreements Legally Protecting Trade Secrets </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trade-secrets/nondisclosure-agreements/">Non-Disclosure Agreements Legally Protecting Trade Secrets </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trade-secrets/enforcement/">Enforcing Trade Secret Rights Through Lawsuits & Criminal Charges </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trade-secrets/infringement/">Trade Secret Infringement & Potential Legal Defenses </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/choosing-among-patent-copyright-and-trademark/">Choosing Among Patent, Copyright, and Trademark for Legal Protection </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/faqs/">Intellectual Property Law FAQs </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/intellectual-property/"> Find an Intellectual Property Lawyer </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="-show-desktop"> <p data-directive="j-expand" class="heading-3 expand-v2 cursor-pointer -display-block -expanded" data-collapsed_class="hidden" data-expanded_class="-expanded" data-section="mobile-navigation-list-2"> Related Areas <span>   <svg class="down-arrow -fill-blue jicon -medium" role="img" title="Mobile Navigation" viewbox="0 0 270 270"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" href="/justatic/shared/images/icons/simple-icons-sprite.svg#down"></use> </svg> </span> </p> <div id="mobile-navigation-list-2" class="-collapsed -expanded"> <ul class="list-no-styles has-no-left-padding has-no-bottom-margin"> <li> <a href="/business-operations/">Small Business Legal Center</a> </li> <li> <a href="/entertainment-law/">Entertainment Law Center </a> </li> <li> <a href="/communications-internet/">Communications and Internet Law Center </a> </li> <li> <a href="/sports-law/">Sports Law Center </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="sidebar primary-sidebar"> <ul class="list-no-styles has-margin-bottom-20 list-group -hide-desktop"> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/">Intellectual Property Law Center </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/patents/">Patent Law </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/copyright/">Copyright Law </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/">Trademark Law </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item active -as-navigation list-group-item-active"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trade-secrets/">Trade Secret Law </a></div> <div class="-expanded"> <ul class="list-no-styles"> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trade-secrets/noncompete-agreements/">Non-Compete Agreements Legally Protecting Trade Secrets </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trade-secrets/nondisclosure-agreements/">Non-Disclosure Agreements Legally Protecting Trade Secrets </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trade-secrets/enforcement/">Enforcing Trade Secret Rights Through Lawsuits & Criminal Charges </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trade-secrets/infringement/">Trade Secret Infringement & Potential Legal Defenses </a></div> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/choosing-among-patent-copyright-and-trademark/">Choosing Among Patent, Copyright, and Trademark for Legal Protection </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/faqs/">Intellectual Property Law FAQs </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/intellectual-property/"> Find an Intellectual Property Lawyer </a> </div> </li> </ul> <ul class="list-no-styles has-margin-bottom-20 list-group -hide-desktop"> <li class="list-group-item -title"> <div class="wrapper"> <a class="color-black">Related Areas</a> </div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/business-operations/">Small Business Legal Center</a> </div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/entertainment-law/">Entertainment Law Center </a> </div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/communications-internet/">Communications and Internet Law Center </a> </div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/sports-law/">Sports Law Center </a> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="large-gap-stripe -with-title" data-directive="j-find-a-lawyer" data-layout="carousel" data-limit="7" data-practice="intellectual-property" data-display-tooltip="true" > </div> <div id="footer" class="-v2 short bg-alabaster color-black"> <div class="wrapper has-no-padding"> <div class="resources font-opensans has-padding-content-block-x2large clearfix"> <div class="section-title"> Justia Legal Resources </div> <div class="columns"> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Find a Lawyer" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers">Find a Lawyer</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-01"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-01" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Bankruptcy Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/bankruptcy">Bankruptcy Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Business Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/business-law">Business Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Criminal Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/criminal-law">Criminal Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Employment Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/employment-law">Employment Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Estate Planning Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/estate-planning">Estate Planning Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Family Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/family-law">Family Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Personal Injury Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/personal-injury">Personal Injury Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Find a Lawyer - More" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers">More... </a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Individuals" href="https://www.justia.com/individuals/">Individuals</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-02"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-02" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Bankruptcy" href="https://www.justia.com/bankruptcy/">Bankruptcy</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Criminal" href="https://www.justia.com/criminal/">Criminal</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Divorce" href="https://www.justia.com/family/divorce/">Divorce</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="DUI" href="https://www.justia.com/criminal/drunk-driving-dui-dwi/">DUI</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Estate Planning" href="https://www.justia.com/estate-planning/">Estate Planning</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Family Law" href="https://www.justia.com/family/">Family Law</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Personal Injury" href="https://www.justia.com/injury/">Personal Injury</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Individuals - More" href="https://www.justia.com/individuals/">More...</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Business" href="https://www.justia.com/business/">Business</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-03"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-03" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Business Formation" href="https://www.justia.com/business-operations/starting-your-own-business/">Business Formation</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Business Operations" href="https://www.justia.com/business-operations/">Business Operations</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Employment" href="https://www.justia.com/employment/">Employment</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Intellectual Property" href="https://www.justia.com/intellectual-property/">Intellectual Property</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="International Trade" href="https://www.justia.com/international-law/international-trade-law/">International Trade</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Real Estate" href="https://www.justia.com/business-operations/commercial-real-estate-the-law/">Real Estate</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Tax Law" href="https://www.justia.com/tax/">Tax Law</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Business - More" href="https://www.justia.com/business/">More... </a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Law Schools" href="https://www.justia.com/law-schools/">Law Schools</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-04"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-04" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Law Schools" href="https://dictionary.justia.com/">Dictionary</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Admissions" href="https://www.justia.com/law-students/">Admissions</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Financial Aid" href="https://www.justia.com/law-students/">Financial Aid</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Course Outlines" href="https://www.justia.com/law-schools/outlines/">Course Outlines</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Law Journals" href="https://www.justia.com/law-schools/">Law Journals</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Blogs" href="https://blawgsearch.justia.com/blogs/categories/law-student">Blogs</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Employment" href="https://www.justia.jobs/jobs/summer-associate-legal-internship/">Employment</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Law Schools - More" href="https://www.justia.com/law-schools/">More...</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="US Federal Law" href="https://law.justia.com/us/">US Federal Law</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-05"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-05" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="US Constitution" href="https://law.justia.com/constitution/us/">US Constitution</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="US Code" href="https://law.justia.com/codes/us">US Code</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Regulations" href="https://regulations.justia.com/">Regulations</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Supreme Court" href="https://supreme.justia.com/">Supreme Court</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Circuit Courts" href="https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/">Circuit Courts</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="District Courts" href="https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/">District Courts</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Dockets & Filings" href="https://dockets.justia.com/">Dockets & Filings</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="US Federal Law - More" href="https://law.justia.com/us/">More...</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="US State Law" href="https://law.justia.com/us-states/">US State Law</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-06"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-06" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="State Constitutions" href="https://law.justia.com/us-states/">State Constitutions</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="State Codes" href="https://law.justia.com/codes/">State Codes</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="State Case Law" href="https://law.justia.com/cases/">State Case Law</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="California" href="https://law.justia.com/california/">California</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Florida" href="https://law.justia.com/florida/">Florida</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="New York" href="https://law.justia.com/new-york/">New York</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Texas" href="https://law.justia.com/texas/">Texas</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="US State Law - More" href="https://law.justia.com/us-states/">More... </a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Other Databases" href="https://www.justia.com/">Other Databases</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-07"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-07" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Legal Jobs" href="https://www.justia.jobs/">Legal Jobs</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Legal Blogs" href="https://blawgsearch.justia.com/">Legal Blogs</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Business Forms" href="https://contracts.justia.com/">Business Forms</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Product Recalls" href="https://recalls.justia.com/">Product Recalls</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Patents" href="https://patents.justia.com/">Patents</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Trademarks" href="https://trademarks.justia.com/">Trademarks</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Countries" href="https://www.justia.com/countries/">Countries</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Other Databases - More" href="https://www.justia.com/">More...</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Marketing Solutions" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/">Marketing Solutions</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-08"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-08" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Justia Connect Membership" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/connect/">Justia Connect Membership</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Justia Lawyer Directory" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/lawyer-directory/">Justia Lawyer Directory</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Justia Premium Placements" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/lawyer-directory/#premium-placements">Justia Premium Placements</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Justia Elevate" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/elevate/">Justia Elevate (SEO, Websites)</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Justia Amplify" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/amplify/">Justia Amplify (PPC, GBP)</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Justia Onward Blog" href="https://onward.justia.com/">Justia Onward Blog</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Testimonials" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/testimonials/">Testimonials</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Marketing Solutions - More" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/">More...</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="bg-justia-blue"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="copyright"> <span class="site"> <span class="social-media"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justia" title="Facebook" target="_blank" class="fb icon"> <img data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Social Media - Facebook" src="https://lawyers.justia.com/s/facebook.svg" width="50" height="50" alt="Facebook"> </a> <a href="https://twitter.com/justiacom" title="Twitter" target="_blank" class="twitter icon"> <img data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Social Media - Twitter" src="https://lawyers.justia.com/s/twitter.svg" width="50" height="50" alt="Twitter"> </a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/justia" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank" class="linkedin icon"> <img data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Social Media - LinkedIn" src="https://lawyers.justia.com/s/linkedin.svg" width="50" height="50" alt="LinkedIn"> </a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/justia" title="YouTube" target="_blank" class="youtube icon"> <img data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Social Media - YouTube" src="https://lawyers.justia.com/s/youtube.svg" width="50" height="50" alt="YouTube" /> </a> <a href="https://lawyers.justia.com/organization/justia-inc-16302" title="Justia Lawyer Directory" class="justia icon"> <img data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Social Media - Justia Lawyer Directory" src="https://lawyers.justia.com/s/justia.svg" width="50" height="50" alt="Justia"> </a> </span> <span class="credits"> © 2024 <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Copyright" href="https://www.justia.com/">Justia</a> </span> </span> <span class="nav"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Justia Connect" href="https://connect.justia.com/">Justia Connect</a> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Legal Portal" href="https://www.justia.com/">Legal Portal</a> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Company" href="https://company.justia.com/">Company</a> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Help" href="https://support.justia.com/">Help</a> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Terms of Service" href="https://www.justia.com/terms-of-service/">Terms of Service</a> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Privacy Policy" href="https://www.justia.com/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Marketing Solutions" class="nowrap" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/">Marketing Solutions</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script async defer src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/js/core.js"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Trade Secret Law | Intellectual Property Law Center | Justia