What is the difference between trade secrets and trade secrets infringement?
Trade secrets are confidential information that provides a business with an economic advantage over competitors. This information can include formulas, recipes, designs, manufacturing processes, customer lists, and marketing plans. It must be kept secret, and the business must take reasonable steps to maintain its secrecy. Trade secrets infringement is the unauthorized use or disclosure of trade secrets. This occurs when a person acquires, uses, or discloses the confidential information of a business without permission. Infringement of trade secrets can be either intentional or accidental, and often arises from former employees who have acquired access to the trade secrets or used them without authorization. In Arizona, trade secrets infringement is considered a form of unfair competition. If a business can prove that its trade secrets have been misused, the state allows them to pursue civil remedies. These remedies can include injunctions, monetary damages, and punitive damages. Injunction orders serve to prohibit future use or disclosure of the trade secret, while monetary damages are intended to compensate the business for any losses. Punitive damages are used to punish the offender for their misconduct.
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