Before we can answer the question in the title, we must first answer another: What is a trade secret? The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) says “trade secrets are intellectual property (IP) rights on confidential information which may be sold or...
Protecting IP from competitors and former employees
One of the most valuable assets a company can have is its intellectual property. Just as jewelry stores lock up their diamonds and gold, companies must secure and protect IP from competitors and ex-employees. You can’t lock your IP in a safe, of course. It must often...
Demonstrating ‘reasonable efforts’ to protect digital trade secrets
A business cannot simply claim a piece of information is a trade secret and expect it to receive applicable legal protections. Instead, the owner of this intellectual property must take steps to meet certain criteria. That includes making “reasonable efforts” to...
E-commerce makes pirated IP a bigger problem
In today’s digital economy, e-commerce platforms have allowed companies to reach uncharted territory in sales and market share. However, the downside is that it's much easier for counterfeiters to steal and infringe on those intellectual property rights, too. Sadly,...
What makes something a trade secret?
Successful businesses have their "secret sauce" that helps them thrive. If they want to remain profitable, they must keep those secrets out of the hands of competitors. Numerous laws in the U.S. allow businesses to protect intellectual property. However, some...
Protecting intellectual property in the age of remote work
The recent pandemic is uprooting American life as we know it. Luckily, since many companies do their work digitally, transitioning to a work-from-home setting is easier than ever before. But with more flexibility comes greater responsibility. That’s because trade...
Drafting vendor agreements that protect IP
Vendors play a crucial role in all kinds of business projects. In the globalized economy, they can help maintain strong relationships, improve cost efficiency and expand a company's reach in a fast-growing and competitive market. While using vendors comes with...
Challenges manufacturers face when protecting their IP
Bringing a unique and cutting-edge product to the market helps your business stand out in a sea of competitors. Developing new and valuable intellectual property (IP) presents its own unique challenges, but what about protecting it? Manufacturers everywhere are...
How can you minimize the exposure of confidential information?
Keeping important information from getting into the wrong hands is imperative to your company's protection and success. While you can monitor who has access to confidential information in order to minimize their exposure, it is also important for your company,...
What are the most frequently asked questions about trade secrets?
As a business owner or inventor, you may have a lot of questions about trade secrets. Trade secrets refer to the data you prefer to keep hidden from competitors and even some employees. These secrets provide your business with a competitive edge that may be destroyed...
