Is customer information protected by trade secret law?

In Washington, trade secret law protects confidential customer information from unauthorized use, disclosure, or theft. Trade secrets can include information such as customer lists, pricing structures, customer data, and customer preferences that are of value to a business and not known to competitors. Trade secrets may also include processes and formulas used by the business to create their products. Under Washington state law, In re Norden Systems, Inc., a court held that customer lists constitute trade secrets. In this case, a company’s customer lists contained confidential information such as names, addresses, and service requirements. A competitor attempted to acquire this information and the court found that it was protected under trade secret law. The Washington State Uniform Trade Secrets Act also provides protection for trade secrets, including customer lists. Under this law, trade secret information is protected from unauthorized use or disclosure. The law allows for damages to be collected if a company’s customer list is misappropriated, or if a company’s valuable information is improperly accessed or used by others. In conclusion, customer information is protected under trade secret law in Washington. Companies should take steps to protect customer information, such as implementing password protection, encryption, and other security measures, to ensure customer data remains confidential.

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Is customer information protected by trade secret law?

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