How is a trade secret protected?
A trade secret is business information that is not generally known, has economic value and is subject to reasonable secrecy measures.
Legal structure of the business or employment relationship
Customer lists, manufacturing methods, pricing strategy or software information may qualify; simply marking every document confidential is insufficient. Scope, access, lawful acquisition and independent development are considered. An employee's general skill and experience are not the same as a trade secret. Business and employment matters require joint analysis of party status, organization, actual performance and mandatory protective rules. Commercial-register entries, constitutional documents, corporate resolutions, workplace records and powers of representation answer different questions. Acting in a company's name does not always prove authority or eliminate personal liability. Authority limits and the position of third parties are assessed from the specific records.
Records, liability and dispute management
Access controls, logs, confidentiality agreements, device security and exit procedures form part of reasonable measures. Breach may lead to evidence preservation, injunction, return or destruction and damages. Protection should be designed beforehand through information classification rather than only after leakage. Reliable records show who made a decision, when it was made and what information supported it. Notices, meetings, approvals, payments and working-time records can prevent disputes or assist proof. Whether mediation, litigation, arbitration or an administrative route applies depends on the dispute and mandatory rules. Monetary thresholds, deadlines and electronic filing methods can change and should be checked in current official sources.