First Response to Trade Secret Theft: Best Practices for Answering an Alarm

Covetous employees, foreign government hackers, erstwhile suppliers, or disloyal business partners: all can pose the threat of trade secret theft to corporations these days. This webinar will give best practices for secret holders when the alarm of a potential theft first sounds. In those stress-filled hours, a swift and well-focused response can save the day, while a bungled reflex might negatively impact the outcome of the entire episode.

Our panel includes two in-house counsel with first-hand experience in responding to trade-secret theft and a litigator who has seen the impact on plaintiffs of both good and bad first responses to trade secret theft. The panelists will outline:

• What questions to ask at the first hint of a problem;
• How to quickly gather and maintain crucial evidence both in-house and externally;
• Best practices for internal investigations and giving Upjohn warning to employees;
• How to contact new employers of suspected thieves or other possible bad actors;
• How to avoid an accusation of bringing a claim of trade secret theft in bad faith;
• Should we call in law enforcement? Calculating the trade-offs;
• First moves in litigation: Whether and how best to request a court for temporary restraining order or immediate injunctive relief.