Glossary · Intellectual Property
Trade Secret
trade-secret-7986ac5b11be71a9-2026-07-28
- Type
- Glossary
- Jurisdiction
- National
- Date
- 2026-07-28
- Topic
- Intellectual Property
Information that derives economic value from not being generally known and that its owner takes reasonable measures to keep secret, such as formulas, algorithms, customer lists, or manufacturing processes. Protection lasts as long as secrecy is maintained, but is lost if the information leaks or is independently discovered. Misappropriation, acquiring or using a secret through improper means, is actionable under both state law and the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act.
Definition
Information that derives economic value from not being generally known and that its owner takes reasonable measures to keep secret, such as formulas, algorithms, customer lists, or manufacturing processes. Protection lasts as long as secrecy is maintained, but is lost if the information leaks or is independently discovered. Misappropriation, acquiring or using a secret through improper means, is actionable under both state law and the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act.
Trade Secret. Information that derives economic value from not being generally known and that its owner takes reasonable measures to keep secret, such as formulas, algorithms, customer lists, or manufacturing processes. Protection lasts as long as secrecy is maintained, but is lost if the information leaks or is independently discovered. Misappropriation, acquiring or using a secret through improper means, is actionable under both state law and the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act. Example: The source code qualified as a trade secret because access was restricted, encrypted, and covered by NDAs.