A trade secret is any information used in one's business that derives independent economic value from being kept secret. Unlike patents, trade secrets are protected indefinitely for as long as they remain a secret. In the United States, the enactment of the Defend Trade Secrets Act ("DTSA") in 2016 has made trade secrets an increasingly attractive form of intellectual property for businesses hoping to protect their innovations. And in other jurisdictions, developments such as Germany's Company Secret Act and China's Anti-Unfair Competition Law are similarly refining trade secret laws.
This White Paper summarizes and explains recent noteworthy decisions in trade secret law and updates around the world in the second half of 2020. Each of these decisions has meaningful implications for trade secret owners, defendants and practitioners alike.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.