A trade secret is a form of nonpublic intellectual property that is considered confidential and valuable to a company or individual owner of such secrets
Companies that own trade secrets usually require their employees to sign non-disclosure agreements that include hefty liquidation damage clauses to dissuade employees from sharing or exposing such trade secrets to family, friends, and competitors.
The scope of trade secrets has expanded in recent years to include confidential customer lists. While customer lists are not inherently unique, they can hold strategic value in acquiring different types of customers, perhaps belonging to other market segments which can carry significant potential value.
Attention Digital Nomads: Digital Nomads must be careful to protect their client’s intellectual property against international trade secret theft. Digital nomads should be aware that the work performed on the client’s behalf may be considered Protected Works under U.S. Trade Secret Laws.
