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Trade Secrets

What technology is protectable by trade secrets?

Under the Uniform Trade Secret Act information must not be generally known, not readily ascertainable, have independant economic value due to secrecy, and be the subject of reasonable efforts to protect secrecy. This includes essentially any confidential business information.

How long is a trade secret protectable?

Information is protectable as long as the information fits the definition of trade secrets. This can be moments or decades.

What specific type of protection is offered under the statute?

Trade secret law prevents wrongful taking. Independant development and reverse engineering are defenses.

What is the geographic scope of protection of a trade secret?

Trade secret protection is a state right. A vast majority of states, including Minnesota, have adopted the Uniform Trade Secret Act. Other states have a law or laws similar to the Uniform Act. Foreign countries have similar laws, although, the particular country should be checked before reliance is placed on trade secret law in a foreign country. The rights will seem to be national or international in scope, since registration is not required and since most states and foreign countries protect trade secrets.

How important is trade secret protection?

Trade secret protection is a must for virtually any business.

About the Author:

N. Paul Friederichs, founder, started practice as a patent attorney in 1992 at a major Minneapolis, Minnesota law firm where he was the highest performing associate. In 1993, he started and developed Friederichs Law Firm with his father. Throughout this time Paul�s experience was heavily weighted toward litigation. He served such clients as Tonka Toys, American Harvest and Boston Medical.

He can be reached at http://www.angenehm.com/

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