Fitch Even lawyers are skilled at defending clients’ confidential information, formulas, equipment, and processes. Disputes involving trade secret protection often hinge on how effectively one has taken steps to protect confidential information from disclosure because, unlike other intellectual property information such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks, once a trade secret becomes public, all protections are lost.
Fitch Even is experienced at helping clients develop trade secret protection programs directed to maintaining the confidentiality of trade secret information. Our lawyers routinely assist clients with developing best business practices, drafting secure and enforceable employee and third-party nondisclosure agreements, and educating management and employees about the importance of keeping key business assets secret.
In today’s competitive environment of high employee mobility and complex business relationships, these programs are vital to protecting one’s trade secrets and minimizing the potential of being accused of encroaching on the rights of others.
Enforcement and Defense of Trade Secret Rights
Fitch Even attorneys aid clients in policing against unlawful uses of their trade secrets by competitors. It is important to prevent any illegal use of your trade secrets as soon as possible to prevent further damage through disclosure. Often, the most effective way to secure disputed trade secret rights is through litigation. Fitch Even litigators have handled a wide variety of trade secret misappropriation cases in various state and federal courts. Our team has obtained injunctive and monetary relief against parties that have misappropriated the trade secrets of our clients, and we have successfully defended against unfounded claims of misappropriation.
Case Studies
Client: Bridgetree, Inc., a privately held corporation that provides marketing data, information, analytics, and logistics services to consumer marketing companies
Problem: An employee of Bridgetree abruptly left the company, misappropriated our client’s proprietary software for customer analytics, went to work for a competitor company, and recruited other Bridgetree employees for the new operation.
Solution: Fitch Even filed suit in federal court in North Carolina, our client’s home state, alleging multiple causes of action, including trade secret misappropriation.
Result: After a two-week trial, the jury rendered a verdict in favor of Bridgetree and awarded damages of $4.2 million to our client.
