How To Protect Your Trade Secrets Internationally

I recently discussed with a client what steps it should take to protect its trade secrets across the various countries where it manufactures products and conducts business. Although this client has been operating internationally for nearly a decade, it now faces the challenge of bringing its most valuable intellectual property into competitive, and sometimes risky, markets for the first time.

Strangely enough, clients seldom ask me this question, at least in this form. Our international IP lawyers are often asked to draft contracts that contain trade secret provisions and we constantly draft International NNN Agreements designed to protect trade secrets. But this question went beyond that. The question was directed at all of the methods, both legal and non-legal, this client should employ to protect its trade secrets.