Defend Trade Secrets Act 2016: Federal law that provides uniform federal protection for trade secrets, allowing companies to file civil lawsuits in federal court for trade secret misappropriation
Economic Espionage Act 1996: Federal criminal law that prohibits theft or misappropriation of trade secrets with the intent to benefit foreign powers or cause economic harm
Federal Rules of Evidence: Guidelines governing confidentiality and admissibility of evidence in federal courts, particularly relevant for enforcement of NDAs
Uniform Trade Secrets Act: Model law adopted by most states that provides uniform standards for trade secret protection and remedies for misappropriation
State Contract Laws: State-specific regulations governing contract formation, enforcement, and interpretation that vary by jurisdiction
Statutes of Limitations: State-specific time limits within which legal action must be initiated for breach of confidentiality or trade secret misappropriation
Non-Compete Regulations: State-specific rules governing the enforceability and scope of non-compete provisions in confidentiality agreements
Contract Law Fundamentals: Basic principles including offer, acceptance, consideration, and mutual intent necessary for creating legally binding agreements
Inevitable Disclosure Doctrine: Legal principle where courts may prevent a former employee from working for a competitor if disclosure of trade secrets would be inevitable
SEC Regulations: Federal securities regulations that may impact confidentiality obligations, particularly regarding public companies and financial information
Industry-Specific Regulations: Sector-specific laws like HIPAA for healthcare that may impose additional confidentiality requirements
FTC Guidelines: Federal Trade Commission guidelines regarding unfair competition and protection of confidential business information
Whistleblower Protections: Federal and state laws protecting individuals who report illegal activities from confidentiality agreement restrictions
Worker Mobility Rights: Laws protecting employees' rights to change employers and use general knowledge and skills in new employment
