Strengtening trade secret protectionsA company’s Federal Trade Secret Claim and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act claim were recently dismissed by a Michigan federal district judge. The dismissal was avoidable. But it also offers several key lessons for employers and employees when it comes to protecting and using confidential information.

The Trade Secret and Computer Fraud Litigation

The case,

Misappropriation company informationTrade secret misappropriation lawsuits continue to be a potent offense for businesses against departing employees seeking to compete wrongfully. But as with any offense, it is critical to pay attention to fundamentals to be successful.

A recent federal district court opinion illustrates this point (link to memorandum and opinion provided below). Specifically, Raben Tire Co.,

Cost, Risk, Effort.jpgThe Wall Street Journal (by Joe Light) recently reported that departing employees are more disgruntled than ever. The article notes that based on exit interviews of more than 4,300 employees from 80 companies:

More than three-quarters of departing employees say they wouldn’t recommend their employer to others, the worst percentage in at least five years