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Trade Secrets

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Intellectual Property and TechnologyTrade Secrets

Our Trade Secrets practice helps companies protect confidential business information through protection programs, employment agreements, and enforcement of trade secret rights when misappropriation occurs.

Protecting Confidential Business Information

Trade secrets protect valuable information that derives value from secrecy, including formulas, processes, customer lists, and business strategies. MC Law's Trade Secrets practice helps companies establish protection programs and enforce rights when misappropriation occurs.

Protection Programs

Effective trade secret protection requires systematic programs. We help clients identify and classify trade secrets, implement access controls, establish confidentiality policies, and create documentation practices that support enforcement.

Employee Measures

Employees are often the greatest trade secret risk and protection resource. We draft confidentiality agreements, invention assignment provisions, and reasonable restrictive covenants.

Litigation

When misappropriation occurs, we act quickly and decisively. We pursue claims under the Defend Trade Secrets Act and state trade secret laws, seeking TROs, preliminary injunctions, and damages.

Services in this practice

Trade Secret LitigationTrade Secret Protection ProgramsTrade Secret AuditsNDA DraftingDTSA

Frequently asked questions

Information that derives economic value from not being generally known and is subject to reasonable efforts to maintain secrecy. This includes formulas, processes, customer lists, and business strategies.

Trade secrets can last indefinitely as long as secrecy is maintained. However, protection is lost immediately if information becomes public through disclosure or independent discovery.

Measures depend on context but typically include confidentiality agreements, access controls, physical and technical security, employee training, and appropriate marking.

Yes, the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act and state laws provide remedies including injunctive relief, damages, and potentially attorneys' fees. Criminal prosecution is available for serious violations.

Patents require disclosure and last 20 years but protect against independent development. Trade secrets have no disclosure requirement and can last indefinitely but offer no protection against independent discovery.

Preserve evidence, investigate carefully, consult counsel immediately, and consider whether expedited court relief is needed. Act promptly but measured.

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Our team

People in this practice

NM
Nidhi Majethia
Paralegal
Washington, D.C.
CS
Casey Scott McKay
Attorney
Washington, D.C.
Document products

Related document products

Order attorney-drafted documents related to this practice.

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Trademark Registration

Trademark Registration — Economy Package

A comprehensive clearance search plus preparation and filing of one federal trademark application.

$850Order
Trademark Registration

Trademark Registration — Business Package

Clearance, preparation, and filing, plus responses to routine (non-substantive) Office Actions.

$1,250Order
Trademark Registration

Trademark Registration — Professional Package

Full-service prosecution from filing through registration, including substantive Office Action responses.

$2,445Order
Copyright

Copyright Security Agreement (Short Form)

A short-form agreement providing a security interest in copyrighted works as collateral for a loan or other financial arrangement.

$349Order
Copyright

Direct Hire Termination Agreement

An agreement used to formalize the termination of a direct hire employee, including provisions for confidentiality, intellectual property, and severance.

$299Order
Copyright

DMCA Complaint (Takedown Notice)

A notice sent to a service provider under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), requesting the removal of infringing content hosted on their platform.

$199Order
Copyright

Copyright Assignment Agreement (Short Form)

A simplified agreement used to transfer ownership of a copyright from one party to another, including details such as rights transferred, payment, and effective date.

$299Order
Copyright

Copyright License Agreement (Pro-Licensee)

An agreement where the copyright owner grants a licensee the right to use the copyrighted material under specified terms, including usage scope, duration, and payment.

$399Order
Copyright

Copyright License Agreement (Pro-Licensor)

An agreement where the licensor grants the licensee permission to use the copyrighted material, outlining the terms, conditions, and compensation for the license.

$399Order
Copyright

Copyright Litigation (Defendant's Similar Work): Defendant's Document Requests

A set of document requests served by the defendant in a copyright litigation case involving a similar work, asking the plaintiff to provide specific documents relevant to the case.

$199Order

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