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Trade secret law protects valuable information that is not generally known or easily discoverable and for which secrecy efforts have been made. This can include formulas, manufacturing processes, research, and future plans.12

Industrial espionage involves acquiring these trade secrets from competitors. This can happen through disloyal employees, group conspiracies where former employees start a competing firm, or by luring away valuable employees.2

When trade secrets are stolen, legal action can be taken. This may result in an injunction against using the information, an accounting of profits made from its use, or punitive damages for flagrant violations.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. trade secret
  2. industrial espionage

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