Protection of Intangible Business Assets: Trade Secrets in the Age of Federal Computer Legislation

摘要

Although 50 years ago, employees often stayed with the same company for most of their professional lives, now employees move from company to company within the same industry more frequently. These employment changes sometimes stem from the employee's own career choices and sometimes arise from shifting corporate objectives, but in general reflect a reduced loyalty between employer and employee. How is a company to protect some of its most valuable assets — its trade secrets — in this environment? Traditionally, common law principles provided the basis for legal protection of trade secrets. More recently, however, federal computer legislation and judicial application of older laws to newer technology help companies preserve their trade secrets.