Trade Secrets

The United States has entered into law the Defend Trade Secrets Act, federal trade secrets legislation. The legislation creates a civil cause of action for the misappropriation of trade secrets.

The amendment (link) amends the Economic Espionage Act.  The key amendment states:

An owner of a trade secret that is misappropriated may bring a civil action under this subsection if the trade secret is related to a product or service used in, or intended for use in, interstate or foreign commerce.

There is significant commentary on these amendments. For more information check out Dennis Crouch’s commentary at Patently-O.