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Workplace programs to protect trade secrets

Trade secret protection programs can be effective in preventing the loss of valuable company information and intellectual property assets, if appropriately implemented.

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References

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  2. Pair is charged with stealing trade secrets. J. Commerce September 9 (1997), p. 4A.

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  5. 18 USCA §§ 1831–1839 (West 1999).

  6. 35 USCA §§ 101, 102, and 103 (West 1994).

  7. 17 USC § 102.

  8. 15 USCA § 1127 (West 1994).

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  11. Trademark Off. Soc'y 371 (2002) (providing cost/benefit analysis of patent versus trade secret protection).

  12. Pub. L. No. 100-568, 102 Stat. 2853 (1989).

  13. Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Shreveport, Inc. v. The Coca-Cola Co., 227 USPQ 18 (D. Del. 1985), cert. denied, 510 US 908 (1993).

  14. 950 F.Supp. 1348, 1364 (S.D. Ohio 1997).

  15. 155 F.3d 189 (3rd Cir. 1998).

  16. United States v. Martin, 228 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2000).

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of associate Huong Nguyen and summer associate Ruby Wayne.

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Medd, K., Konski, A. Workplace programs to protect trade secrets. Nat Biotechnol 21, 201–203 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0203-201

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