As a special feature of our blog—guest postings by
experts, clients, and other professionals—please enjoy this
blog entry from Neil Eisgruber, Director in the Disputes,
Compliance & Investigations group at Stout.
From beverage recipes and manufacturing processes to computer
algorithms and customer lists, trade secrets often play a vital
role in successful business operations, but exposure of these
important assets to an unwanted party can be detrimental to a
company, whether it be a small startup or a Fortune 500
company.
With the digitization of intellectual property (IP) and ongoing
competition across industries—among other macro
trends—companies are at elevated risk of trade secret theft.
In addition, shifts in patent law, which have generally weakened
that form of protection, may influence how companies protect these
assets and pursue remedies. Given these conditions, businesses are
increasingly engaging in legal proceedings specific to trade
secrets.