We partner with clients to formulate, adapt, and strengthen IP policies to protect and increase the value of trade secrets, such as company data, technology, R&D information, manufacturing processes, customer lists, marketing plans, business details, financial information, and vendor information.
Companies are reevaluating how they guard against IP theft in response to new forms of threats in the digital age. Departing employees, competitors, and contractors, among others, present new challenges in the realm of trade secrets – particularly when it comes to computer programming and other digitally stored information – requiring an evolving approach and ongoing vigilance.
Reed Smith has deep global experience helping clients develop trade secret protection programs to protect the status of trade secrets and to avoid allegations of their misappropriation.
We frequently represent clients in trade secret litigation. As with patents, trade secret litigation can range from smaller scale allegations and infringements up through large-scale “bet-the company” scenarios. We vigorously represent clients in the entire range of lawsuits – both as plaintiffs and defendants, with a record of success across the globe.
We also perform trade secret audits, an important step for even sophisticated organizations to take stock of existing trade secrets and protections, analyze gaps in protection, and ultimately implement stronger policies, both to protect trade secrets and to immunize against misuse of the trade secrets of others.
Our approach involves:
- Identifying your company’s trade secrets and their value to the company
- Ensuring reasonable measures are in place to protect them
- Developing basic procedures and training programs
- Establishing trade secret protection policies and contractual provisions to implement with employees, business partners, and vendors
- Investigating trade secret theft and counseling on potential civil and criminal actions in jurisdictions around the globe
- Asserting claims in litigation of trade secret misappropriation by others
- Ensuring your company is prepared should it face allegations of trade secret misappropriation
