What is the difference between trade secrets and confidential information?

The main difference between trade secrets and confidential information is the purpose for which they are used. Trade secrets are any information that is kept secret and has value to the business owner. This includes things such as manufacturing techniques, a customer list, or a formula for a product. It is also important that the business takes reasonable steps to protect the information and keep it confidential. Confidential information is different in the sense that it can be any information that the business still wishes to keep private, but it does not necessarily have to have value to the business. Instead, this can include participant lists, employee records, or even internal information. The main difference is that confidential information does not necessarily have to be kept secret, just kept private. In Washington, trade secret laws are in place to protect businesses from the misappropriation, or theft, of their confidential information. These laws provide for both civil and criminal remedies for businesses whose trade secrets have been violated. The civil remedies are designed to prevent the trade secret from being disclosed, while the criminal remedies are designed to punish those who commit the act of misappropriation.

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What is the difference between trade secrets and confidential information?

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