How Trade Secrets are Different from other IP Rights

Studies indicate that trade secrets require uniquely tailored protection more than any other form of intellectual property. Unlike copyright, trademark, and patent protection, there is no government registration for protection of trade secrets. Trade secrets cover a wide variety of information, including a design, compilation, formula, instrument, or pattern. Additionally it can cover a customer list, research, strategy, technique, practice, or a process.

Preserving Trade Secrets

Protection of trade secrets is necessary to preserve the competitive advantage inherent in the secrets. Establishing procedures and using contracts to maintain confidentiality of information help ensure preservation of secrets.

Protection of trade secrets in Texas provide a cost benefit over protection of other forms of intellectual property. Trade secret protection does not require any formal registration or application process. However, trade secrets typically require the maintenance of secrecy to endure protection.

Preserving Rights When Trade Secret Disclosure is Necessary

Sometimes the necessities of doing business require trade secret disclosure to employees, business partners, potential investors, or others. Written confidentiality agreements such as non-compete and non-disclosure agreements are useful and cost-effective tools to protect trade secrets.

About the Firm:

Klemchuk LLP is an Intellectual Property (IP), Technology, Internet, and Business law firm.  The firm offers comprehensive legal services including litigation and enforcement of all forms of IP as well as registration and licensing of patents, trademarks, trade dress, and copyrights.  The firm also provides a wide range of technology, Internet, e-commerce, and business services including business planning, formation, and financing, mergers and acquisitions, business litigation, data privacy, and domain name dispute resolution.  Additional information about the IP law firm and its IP law attorneys may be found at www.klemchuk.com.

Klemchuk LLP hosts Culture Counts, a blog devoted to the discussion of law firm culture and corporate core values with frequent topics about positive work environment, conscious capitalism, entrepreneurial management, positive workplace culture, workplace productivity, and corporate core values.