Trade Secrets 2025

USA

Canada

United States of America

Washington

Law and Practice Contributed by: Claudia Ray, Joseph Loy, Brandon R. Weber and Andrew (Keum Yong) Lee Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Mexico

Contents 1. Legal Framework p.251 1.1 Sources of Legal Protection for Trade Secrets p.251 1.2 What Is Protectable as a Trade Secret p.251 1.3 Examples of Trade Secrets p.251 1.4 Elements of Trade Secrt Protection p.252

1.5 Reasonable Measures p.253 1.6 Disclosure to Employees p.253 1.7 Independent Discovery p.254

1.8 Computer Software and Technology p.254 1.9 Duration of Protection for Trade Secrets p.254 1.10 Licensing p.255 1.11 What Differentiates Trade Secrets From Other IP Rights p.255

1.12 Overlapping IP Rights p.255 1.13 Other Legal Theories p.256

1.14 Criminal Liability p.256 1.15 Extraterritoriality p.256 2. Misappropriation of Trade Secrets p.257 2.1 The Definition of Misappropriation p.257 2.2 Employee Relationships p.257 2.3 Joint Ventures p.257 2.4 Industrial Espionage p.258

3. Preventing Trade Secret Misappropriation p.258 3.1 Best Practices for Safeguarding Trade Secrets p.258 3.2 Exit Interviews p.258 4. Safeguarding Against Allegations of Trade Secret Misappropriation p.259 4.1 Pre-Existing Skills and Expertise p.259 4.2 New Employees p.259

247 CHAMBERS.COM

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