Uniform Trade Secrets Act

The Uniform Trade Secrets Act allows an employer to protect its trade secrets against a departing employee, regardless of whether a “trade secret clause” is included in an employment contract between the employer and employee.  The Uniform Trade Secrets Act defines “improper means,” “misappropriation,” “trade secret,” and “person,” and provides for injunctive relief, damages, and attorneys’ fee. A lawsuit for “misappropriation” of a trade secret must be brought within 3 years after the misappropriation was, or should have been, discovered.

As of February 2012, Wisconsin is one of of the 46 states which have adopted the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.