TRADE SECRET LAW
(LAWF-4040) - 2 UNITS

This 2-credit course studies trade secret law, a field of intellectual property that is of growing importance. The course focuses on the "Uniform Trade Secret Act" (UTSA) which provides the basis for most state trade secret laws and the 2016 "Defend Trade Secrets Act" (DTSA) which creates a private cause of action at the federal level for trade secret misappropriation. Readings will concentrate on understanding what is necessary to have a "trade secret" and what constitutes "misappropriation" of the secret. The course will also look at the European Union's trade secret law (which closely parallels U.S. law), "idea submission" disputes, and the difficult problem of distinguishing an employer's confidential information from an employee's knowledge and skill. Laptop or tablet use will not be permitted in this class. The final exam will be an in-class, closed book examination.

Pass/Fail:
No

Prerequisites:
None