EBIG Start-Ups/VCs SIG: 'Trade Secret Protection' June 12, 2006

http://www.ebig.org/sig/sig.aspx?SIGid=23&EventID=766&old=&eventdesc=full

If you're a high-tech entrepreneur who is starting or growing a new business, it's important that you protect information that may be protectable only as a trade secret. Just ask anyone who has lost a valued employee to a competitor, or who risks being sued by a former employer as a means to disrupt the competition. They all wish they had better protected their trade secrets. Much valuable information, such as customer lists, supplier lists and receipts cannot be protected by patent, trademark, or copyright. If it isn't protected as a trade secret, anyone is permitted to use it and any special economic advantage is lost.

Information can lose its protected status as a trade secret if it is put into public knowledge. If the information is readily accessible to people who could commercially exploit it, it can no longer be claimed as a trade secret and your economic advantage may be lost. In order to protect trade secrets, companies must, at a minimum:

-Identify, value and quantify their trade secrets.
-Take reasonable steps to protect trade secrets.
-Educate employees about how to protect trade secrets.

It is the responsibility of the company to protect its trade secrets and failure to do so can be costly.

You will leave this session with an understanding of the following:
-What is a Trade Secret?
-What is a Trade Secrets Compliance Program?
-What is a Trade Secrets Audit?
-How to Protect Trade Secrets.
-Typical Mistakes Companies Make Regarding Trade Secrets.

Free for members, $10 pre-registration, $20 at the door.

More info: [email protected]

Official Website: http://www.ebig.org/sig/sig.aspx?SIGid=23&EventID=766&old=&eventdesc=full%2B