Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud, & Non-Competes

The primary asset of any business is the proprietary information that makes its products or services unique. This is as true for companies involved in heavy manufacturing as it is for packaged-food processors and software developers. Given the increased use of strategic alliances, the rapid turnover in knowledge workers, and the speed with which information can spread through the open architecture of the Internet, never have businesses been more vulnerable to the loss or theft of their trade secrets.

With our focus on prevention, Seyfarth Shaw’s trade secrets/restrictive covenants litigation attorneys work with clients to identify and correct potential holes in their trade secrets protection strategies. This includes:

• audits of existing trade secrets and intellectual property;
• non-compete, non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements;
• database and other electronic information protection systems; and
• other trade secret protection policies, procedures and employee training practices.
  
• Following this analysis, we recommend strategies to shore up weak or non-existent firewalls and to negotiate more effective agreements with business partners and allies.

We recognize that in the event of trade secret theft or misappropriation, it is critical to work quickly and aggressively to stop the further spread or use of the lost information. Our experienced litigators use every strategy available to them to pursue possible violators, including seeking injunctions and prosecuting claims both in court and in alternative dispute resolution forums, in the United States and abroad. We also understand the potential damage to consumer and business partner confidence when claims of trade secret infringement arise; when necessary, we work equally aggressively to defend our clients against such allegations.