In the rapidly moving world of intellectual property, ideas and trade secrets are becoming more and more valuable. As expected, this value has given rise to litigation surrounding the genesis of some ideas and business models.
An article in The Verge by Russell Brandom describes a new federal bill in Congress that would arm plaintiffs in these disputes with a federal cause of action and harsh consequences for any party losing such litigation. The bill is called the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2015. Supporters of the bill say “it’s a necessary protection for companies facing unprecedented security threats”, while critics argue “it will give trade secret trolls an even heavier club to use against their targets.”
The article gives a few examples of current litigation where the bill would be helpful to plaintiffs. According to the article, the bill would make trade secret cases “easier to mount and even scarier for defendants.” The bill would force certain trade secret cases to federal court, “where the scale of the ruling can be far greater.” The law would also allow the courts to seize any contested property while it is being tried, “the same way they might seize allegedly counterfeit goods.”
The full article can be read here.
Information regarding the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2015 can be read here.
Photo Credit: Songquan Deng