Thadford Felton at UB Greensfelder LLP

Confidential Information vs. Trade Secrets: Why the Distinction Matters in Litigation

Businesses routinely group customer data, pricing models, internal processes, and strategic plans under the “trade secret” umbrella without much analysis. That shorthand works until litigation, at which point the difference...more

3/4/2026 / Best Practices , Business Litigation , Confidential Information , Contract Disputes , Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) , Litigation Strategies , Misappropriation , Non-Disclosure Agreement , Risk Management , Trade Secrets

Fiduciary Duties Before an Employee Leaves: Where the Legal Line Is Drawn

Employee departures are common. Legal disputes arising from those departures are not. When claims do arise, they almost always focus on conduct occurring before the employment relationship ends, not the resignation itself....more

2/5/2026 / Confidentiality Agreements , Employment Litigation , Fiduciary Duty , Non-Compete Agreements , Non-Disclosure Agreement , Non-Solicitation Agreements , Trade Secrets

What C Level Leaders Need to Know About the Seventh Circuit’s Decision in Next Payment Solutions v. CLEAResult: A Business Focused...

Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit issued a significant decision in Next Payment Solutions, Inc. v. CLEAResult Consulting, Inc., a case that offers important lessons for executives overseeing...more

1/21/2026 / Algorithms , Appellate Courts , Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) , Intellectual Property Litigation , Misappropriation , Non-Disclosure Agreement , Software , Source Code , Summary Judgment , Trade Secrets

Understanding When Competitive Conduct Becomes Unlawful

Competition is a constant in every industry, but it doesn’t often raise legal concerns. Most companies win business through better pricing, stronger relationships, or more effective service. The problems begin when a...more

12/18/2025 / Breach of Contract , Competition , Contract Disputes , Employment Contract , Employment Litigation , Non-Compete Agreements , Non-Solicitation Agreements , Restrictive Covenants , Risk Management , Tortious Interference

Identifying and Protecting Your Company’s Trade Secrets

Many businesses underestimate how much of their internal information may qualify as a trade secret. While companies often associate trade secrets with formulas, code, or highly technical data, the scope of protection is much...more

12/17/2025 / Confidential Information , Cybersecurity , Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) , Former Employee , Misappropriation , Non-Disclosure Agreement , Risk Management , Trade Secrets

Protecting Trade Secrets and Confidential Information: Building a Culture of Confidentiality

Every business has something that gives it a competitive edge—a process, client list, formula, or strategy that sets it apart. Protecting that information is not only essential to maintaining an advantage in the market but is...more

11/12/2025 / Compliance , Confidential Information , Cybersecurity , Data Protection , Employee Training , Intellectual Property Protection , Non-Disclosure Agreement , Policies and Procedures , Risk Management , Trade Secrets

Your Trade Secret IP Stands Between You and Your Competition. The Impending September 4, 2024 FTC Rule Would Ban Most...

*As of August 20, 2024, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas has blocked the FTC's impending ban on non-compete agreements. Please see the update at the end of this alert. Trade secrets...more

8/21/2024 / Chevron Deference , Competition , Confidential Information , Employer Liability Issues , Employment Contract , Federal Bans , Federal Trade Commission (FTC) , Intellectual Property Protection , Loper Bright Enterprises v Raimondo , New Rules , Non-Compete Agreements , SCOTUS , Trade Secrets , Uniform Trade Secrets Acts

Your Trade Secret IP Stands Between You and Your Competition. The September 4, 2024 FTC Rule Bans Most Non-Competes. Has the FTC...

Trade secrets exist, by definition, only if the owner takes reasonable measures to maintain their secrecy. This is true under the Federal, State and Uniform Trade Secret Acts. Companies have traditionally used...more

8/19/2024 / Chevron Deference , Competition , Confidential Information , Employer Liability Issues , Employment Contract , Federal Bans , Federal Trade Commission (FTC) , Intellectual Property Protection , Loper Bright Enterprises v Raimondo , New Rules , Non-Compete Agreements , SCOTUS , Trade Secrets , Uniform Trade Secrets Acts

Thadford Felton

UB Greensfelder LLP

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