As the COVID-19 pandemic has displaced workers across the
country, companies need effective ways to protect intellectual
property and confidential trade secrets. This article outlines
pragmatic steps to contain risk and safeguard proprietary
information in a workplace that features remote workers, furloughs
and layoffs. Because many cases of trade secret misappropriation
arise due to displaced or departing workers, these steps are
especially critical now.
Know your trade secrets
A trade secret can be any information that derives financial
value from being secret, provided the owner takes reasonable steps
to protect the information. Under this broad definition, courts
protect all forms of financial, business, scientific, technical,
economic or engineering information. This often includes sales
pipeline information, customer information, technical know-how,
R&D and go-to-market strategies. Trade secret owners must take
affirmative steps to safeguard their trade
