On Wednesday, May 11, 2016, President Obama signed into law the very first federal civil trade secrets law, the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA), an amendment to the Economic Espionage Act, which is found at 18 USC Sec. 1831 et seq. Trade secrets now enjoy the same type of federal protection afforded other forms of intellectual property, like trademarks, copyrights, and patents. While trade secrets misappropriation has long been recognized as a federal crime subject to criminal prosecution in federal court, victims have lacked the right to bring a federal civil claim, until now. The DTSA provides victims of trade secrets misappropriation with an entrée to the federal courts as well as more extensive and immediate remedies, including emergency seizure orders to address exigent situations.
Here is what you need to know about this important new law:
The first federal, civil cause of action for trade secrets misappropriation. While trade secrets misappropriation has long been recognized as a federal crime subject to criminal prosecution in federal court, victims have lacked a federal civil (non-criminal) claim, until now. The DTSA creates a federal civil claim for trade secrets misappropriation and makes an array of remedies available, e.g., compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, and attorneys' fees and costs, in certain circumstances.
The convenience and power of federal court. DTSA plaintiffs will benefit from the nationwide scope of the federal courts' powers at all stages of the litigation: the beginning of the case (e.g., nationwide service of process), during discovery (e.g., nationwide service of third-party subpoenas), and at the enforcement stage (e.g., nationwide enforcement of judgments and interlocutory injunction orders).
New remedies—including ex parte seizure orders. This new entrée to federal court brings with it more extensive and immediate remedies, such as emergency seizure orders to address exigent situations. Although expressly limited to "extraordinary circumstances," such orders are available when normal procedures and relief are not sufficient, and when necessary to prevent dissemination of the trade secret. Seized materials are taken into court custody, with safeguards.
Clarification of "inevitable disclosure." In some states, a defendant who knows trade secrets and takes a job with the competition so similar to his prior position that he will inevitably use or disclose his former employer's trade secrets can be temporarily enjoined from taking that job. This "inevitable disclosure" doctrine, which essentially allows judicially-created non-competes, has been controversial in some jurisdictions. DTSA injunctions may not prevent an employment relationship altogether and must be based on evidence of threatened misappropriation, not merely on the information that the employee knows.
Interplay with state law regarding non-compete agreements. DTSA injunction orders may not conflict with "an applicable state law prohibiting restraints on the practice of a lawful profession, trade or business." The applicable state-law approach to the enforcement of non-compete agreements therefore will limit the types of injunctive relief available under the DTSA.
Options for plaintiffs. A plaintiff may choose to bring a DTSA claim in either state or federal court. Moreover, the DTSA does not preempt existing state law. So plaintiffs will have options when determining what claims to bring and where to bring them. A number of factors, which will vary from case to case, will determine the best strategy.
The Uniform Trade Secrets Act remains a guiding force. Most of the DTSA's definitional scheme and menu of remedies is taken from the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, the statute on which most states have based their state trade secrets law. Case law interpreting the Uniform Trade Secrets Act therefore is likely to remain relevant even in DTSA cases, particularly if brought in state court.
Impact on employee non-disclosure agreements. The DTSA provides immunity for certain trade secrets disclosures, e.g., sealed lawsuit filings and whistleblower disclosures to attorneys and government officials. Any employer who fails to provide an employee with notice of these immunity provisions (e.g., in its confidentiality agreements) will be prohibited from collecting punitive damages or attorneys' fees in any DTSA action against that employee. This requirement applies to all agreements entered into or revised after enactment
Trade secret protection is going global. The United States' enactment of the DTSA coincides with increased protection efforts in other countries as well. Indeed, the European Commission recently issued a directive regarding the importance and protection of trade secrets. These various initiatives allow trade secrets owners greater—and geographically broader—protection than ever before.
For more information, contact Linda Stevens (312-258-5667) or Ronald Coleman (404-420-1144), Cochairs of the Trade Secrets subcommittee.
Keywords: intellectual property, litigation, Defend Trade Secrets Act, DTSA, Economic Espionage Act, trade secrets, federal protection