Most people have some sense of the term “trade secrets.” When you hear it, you probably think of things like the recipe for Coke, or customer lists stashed in the boss’s office. However, corporate America interprets the term in a much broader way — and employment relationships can get complicated and contentious when employers assert their expansive trade secret claims.

In litigation, big companies claim virtually all of their company papers are trade secrets. In the long history of our Clearwater injury attorneys of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we have actually seen grocery store chains claim that employee manuals — which are given to any bagboy or cashier when they begin work — are trade secrets that should be kept secret from the world. Apparently, if you are to believe their inference, any employee who begins work at minimum wage can be trusted with trade secrets, but anyone who undertakes a legitimate investigation of company policies cannot. The truth is that companies involved in litigation really do not stay up at night worrying about a lawyer receiving a customer service manual.

The goal of these companies is to thwart their opponents from sharing information, making their work more expensive and difficult. Many people will never deal with this issue. However, they may have to deal with another problem: facing threats when they move on from a company and try to get a job in the same industry.

Non-Compete Agreements, Google, Uber & More

Many employers force new employees to sign “non-compete” agreements when they begin work, and then try to enforce them when the employees leave. Even workers who do not sign “non-compete” agreements can be vulnerable to corporate advances and attempts at manipulation. That is because companies often claim the training and skills an employee learns on the job are trade secrets. Again, this is not just legitimately secret stuff like the recipe for Coca-Cola or KFC’s blend of spices.

Companies will often claim the things in an employee’s head cannot be transferred anywhere else. To give just one example of how this can go, consider the case of Google in Silicon Valley.

In February 2018, a Google affiliate sued Uber for poaching a valued former employee. It claimed that Uber lured the employee away because the employee had valuable trade secrets, and said that it had been damaged in the astonishing amount of about $1.95 billion dollars. Uber fought back, though.

As the case wound its way through the court system, it became obvious just how dubious the claims really were. The original claims were whittled down to just eight purported thefts of trade secrets. The case went to trial in February 2018, and even the eight remaining claims seemed to go over poorly. Facing the prospect of a huge loss, Google quietly settled the case before a verdict. The value of the settlement, about $250 million, was a tiny fraction of the original claim.

How to React to Trade Secret Claims

Unfortunately, not everyone threatened with non-compete or trade secret claims has the resources of Uber. Many people get intimidated when they get a “cease and desist” letter from a law firm hired by a former employer. They may find it easier to forego a job opportunity than engage in a legal battle. These lost opportunities have tremendous aggregate economic costs, and they can stifle innovation and technological progress.

Besides the obvious advice to always read any agreement carefully before you sign it, if you have been threatened by a former employer, you should seek legal advice on regarding your options. You may find out that the threats of legal action put forth by that employer might not stand up in court. Furthermore, some former employers will just back down when they hear a former employee has a lawyer of their own. As in so many other areas, it pays to know your rights, and know when to seek legal guidance.

Contact the Clearwater Personal Injury Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Clearwater. We have four convenient locations in Florida: Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.

We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442