Trade Secrets

Trade Secrets
Although the definition varies from state to state, in general, a trade secret is any information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process, that 1) derives independent economic value from not being generally known and 2) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

What does this mean to you? Different from a patent whose value is in its disclosure to the public and is thereby granted a right to exclude others from making it for a limited period of time, a trade secret's value is in its secrecy. A trade secret's protection lasts as long as its secrecy is maintained and gives value to the business. A trade secret can include:

• Formula/Recipes

• Proprietary technology information

• Compounds

• Prototypes

• Processes

• Documents

• Experimental Data

• Drawings

• Software and Source Code

• And More...

Virtually every business has a potential trade secret they use to retain a competitive advantage. We can help identify any trade secrets you may have, ensure you are following proper protocol in properly maintaining your trade secrets, and help you create preventative measures that will ensure their secrecy in case of misappropriation.