Trade Secret
Confidential business information that derives value from not being publicly known and is reasonably protected.
A trade secret is information, a formula, customer list, process, software algorithm, supplier source, pricing strategy, that derives independent economic value from not being generally known and that the owner has taken reasonable steps to keep secret.
Unlike trademarks and copyrights, trade secrets are not registered. They are protected by maintaining secrecy: NDAs, employee confidentiality policies, access controls, marking documents confidential, and exit interviews. The protection ends the moment the information becomes public.
California protects trade secrets under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (Civil Code §3426 et seq.) and federal law under the Defend Trade Secrets Act. We help businesses identify trade secrets, implement protection protocols, and litigate misappropriation when a former employee or vendor takes confidential information.
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