Virginia Federal Court Dismisses Trade Secrets Misappropriation Claim Based on Power Brokering and Tax Expertise

On May 30, 2013, a federal judge in Virginia dismissed a tax consultant’s trade secrets misappropriation claim against its telecomm customers, ruling that the consultant’s alleged relationships with tax authorities, tax-law ‘accounting system,’ and its ability to negotiate property tax discounts do not constitute statutory trade secrets.  Cablecom Tax Services, Inc. v. Shenandoah Telecomms. Co. et al., No. 5:12-cv-69-MFU-JGW (W.D. Va. 5/30/13).

The court gave the consultant another chance to allege a misappropriation claim, but made clear that its already-pled trade secrets are not protectable

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