On May 11, 2016, the President signed into law the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA). The DTSA significantly expands protection of intellectual property rights by creating a body of trade secrets law that applies nationwide and by allowing businesses to enforce their trade secret rights in federal court. Previously, trade secrets were protected only by state laws (which varied from state to state), and trade secret claims ordinarily could be brought only in state court. The new federal law does not preempt the state laws; it provides an additional avenue for protection and enforcement.

Originally published in the Orange County Business Journal Intellectual Property Law Supplement - July 18-24, 2016.