The Legal Blog

You’ve done it!

Revolutionary. 

There is no doubt in your mind that what you created is going to be a game changer!

But, how can you make sure no one steals your idea?

All the time, sweat, and tears will go down the drain. 

You don’t want to share that secret sauce.

But how can you protect it? How can you protect yourself?

Since you’ve been following my advice you raise your hand and shout:

BY REGISTERING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY!

Patent inventions.  Copyright content.

Yes, you have listened well.
But, you say.

I don’t want ANYONE to know my secret sauce.

AND SOMETIMES IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE SECRET SAUCE A SECRET.

IN FACT, KEEPING THE SECRET CAN BE IP PROTECTION ITSELF.

Big companies have done it for years.

• The Coca-Cola formula. 
• The Google search algorithm. 
• KFC’s 11 Herbs and Spices. 

What do they all have in common?

THEY ARE ALL TRADE SECRETS!

Trade Secrets are confidential information that gives the owner an economic advantage over competitors.

Does this mean that anything can be a trade secret?

How can you make your secret sauce a trade secret?

FIVE TIPS TO KEEP YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE A SECRET

When you create something so unique that it gives you an economic advantage over competitors, you may not want to share it with the world.

In fact, you may want to keep it a secret.

That secret, if properly secured, can be protected as a trade secret asset.

TO BE CLASSIFIED AS A TRADE SECRET, YOU MUST TAKE PROTECTIVE MEASURES INCLUDING:

• Physical security measures for networks, devices and data
• Mark it as confidential
• Restrict to a limited, need-to-know access 
• Implement a written trade secret policy
• Provide clear communications and agreements with employees

IF YOUR SECRET SAUCE FITS THIS RECIPE THEN TRADE SECRET INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION MAY JUST BE THE RIGHT INGREDIENT FOR YOU!

Want to learn more about trade secret protection. Contact us here.