In contrast to this, the position in the United States is starkly different as they have specific legislation for the protection of trade secrets. The Uniform Trade Secrets Act, 1970, defines trade secrets as:
information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process, that: (i) derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use, and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.
To prevent actual and threatened misappropriation of trade secrets, the Act provides for injunctive relief.
Misappropriation is defined in Section 1(2) as –
(i) acquisition of a trade secret of another by a person who knows or has reason to know that the trade secret was acquired by improper means; or
(ii) disclosure or use of a trade secret of another without express or implied consent by a person who-
A) used improper means to acquire knowledge of the trade secret; or
(B) at the time of disclosure or use, knew or had reason to know that his knowledge of the trade secret was
(I) derived from or through a person who had utilized improper means to acquire it;
(II) acquired under circumstances giving rise to a duty to maintain its secrecy or limit its use; or
(III) derived from or through a person who owed a duty to the person seeking relief to maintain its secrecy or limit its use; or
(C) before a material change of his [or her] position, knew or had reason to know that it was a trade secret and that knowledge of it had been acquired by accident or mistake.
As an alternative to an injunction, the courts may order payment of continuing royalty in exceptional cases. The Act also provides for the preservation of secrecy by courts. This is done by way of hearings in camera, sealing the records of action, and ordering any person involved in the litigation not to disclose an alleged trade secret without prior court approval.
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