I am also a member in good standing of the United States Supreme Court. I am a member of the Bars of the State of Illinois and the District of Columbia and of various federal district and appellate courts. I received a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois in 1960 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1962. I am over 18 years of age and a resident of Chicago, Illinois. Jager Legal Expertise on Trade Secret Law: Melvin F. If you suspect your business’ trade secrets have been misappropriated or are at risk, contact us today to see how we can help.Legal Expertise on Trade Secret Law: Melvin F. This ideology continues to serve our clientele today. Our attorneys have worked on both sides of trade secret cases, giving us insight into how each side works. With over 50 years of combined experience, the attorneys at Burford Perry have worked closely with businesses of all sizes to protect their confidential information. Experienced defense counsel can navigate these issues and help mitigate the impact of anti-competitive litigation. This will not necessarily stop a company that thinks it was wronged from trying to enjoin a competitor from operating while a case is ongoing. Other times, a defendant’s acquisition of the information may not qualify as misappropriation. Frequently, for example, companies sue over information that may not qualify as trade secret. Experienced counsel can help an aggrieved business make these decisions quickly to minimize the business impact of misappropriation.Įxperienced counsel is equally important for a business or former employee being sued for misappropriation of another’s trade secret. Businesses using the courts to protect their trade secrets must also be careful not to expose confidential information when litigating. For example, the federal trade secrets act allows a party to seize the trade secret information in certain, rare scenarios. While the federal and Texas provisions are similar, each has differences that a company should consider. These include whether to file under the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act or the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act and whether to request an immediate injunction against further use. This can have serious competitive impacts on businesses.Ī company that fears its trade secrets may have been misappropriated faces decisions that it must quickly answer. If a competing business or disgruntled employee knows the secret, the information can be spread easily. Trade secrets are easily misappropriated because they can usually be memorized or recorded by employees, customers, developers, or suppliers. For example, if a company plans to patent an invention, it is only classified as a trade secret until the patent has been filed because the patent application is public information. And not all trade secrets are intended to be protected forever. Additionally, the economic value of the trade secret information can be actual or potential. This not only furthers a company’s goal of keeping the secret, it also strengthens the case against someone who illegally reveals it. Protecting trade secrets requires taking reasonable steps to maintain their secrecy. Examples of Trade Secret Information Could Include: Generally, to qualify for trade secret protection, information must (i) have independent economic value and (ii) be kept confidential. Fortunately, both Texas and federal law protect this information as trade secret, provided certain qualifications are met. Confidential information, processes, formulas, techniques, and customer information are among a company’s most valuable assets.

Champaign trade secrets lawyers