Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA): Federal law enacted in 2016 that provides uniform federal protection for trade secrets and allows companies to file trade secret cases directly in federal courts
Economic Espionage Act: Federal law from 1996 that criminalizes trade secret theft, particularly focusing on foreign economic espionage and trade secret theft intended to benefit foreign powers
Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA): Model law adopted by most states that provides a legal framework for trade secret protection at the state level, including definitions, remedies, and statute of limitations
Patent Act: Federal legislation governing patent rights and protection, relevant when NDAs involve potentially patentable innovations or technologies
Copyright Act: Federal law protecting original works of authorship, important when NDAs cover software, documentation, or creative content
State Contract Laws: State-specific laws governing contract formation, consideration, enforcement, and remedies that affect the validity and enforceability of NDAs
State Employment Laws: State-specific regulations governing employment relationships, including restrictions on non-compete agreements and worker mobility rights
Statute of Limitations: Time limits set by federal and state laws for bringing legal action in case of NDA violations
Industry Regulations: Specific regulatory requirements from bodies like FDA, FTC, or industry-specific regulators that may affect what information can be protected and how
Data Protection Laws: Federal and state regulations governing data privacy, cybersecurity, and industry-specific data protection requirements that affect how confidential information must be handled
