The world's most famous trade secret is probably the formula for Coca Cola. But famous or not, trade secrets and confidential information are the lifeblood of many companies, and virtually all companies have them. Patents and copyrights, which are creatures of federal statutes, and trademarks, which are creatures of common law with statutory benefits, are often the more visible forms of corporate intellectual property. But quietly lurking in the shadows, and often supporting a company's basic infrastructure, are its trade secrets and confidential information. In this chapter, which is part of the 2015 Licensing Law Update, Finnegan attorneys John F. Hornick and Margaret A. Esquenet address issues relating to company trade secrets as they arise in license agreements, NDAs, employment contracts, and other agreements.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.