Trade secrets

Confidentiality laws protect your ideas and trade secrets provided you take appropriate steps to maintain the secrecy of the information.

Trade secrets, know-how and other confidential information could be some of the most valuable assets of many businesses. Protection of that information will involve putting others on notice that the information in question is confidential by imposing contractual obligations on them to maintain secrecy.

Use of non-disclosure agreements may not always be enough. Care needs to be taken when deciding whether to reveal information, and who to. If the information is valuable make sure you are using an appropriate non disclosure agreement, as there are many issues that such agreements ought to address. Otherwise, you may find that you have no recourse against someone who misuses your information.

It is also critically important to adopt policies and implement terms to ensure that staff, and freelancers who have access to your know-how and trade secrets are put on notice before receiving the information, and do not take unfair advantage once they leave your employment.

If you want to discuss how we can help you please email or ring us.