Jury Hits Company With Large Verdict in Trade Secret Misappropriation Case

According to reporting from Reuters, a jury has hit an India-based company with a $210 million verdict in a massive trade secret misappropriation case. The jury determined that Tata Consultancy Services improperly misappropriated the legally-protected trade secrets of a competitor (DXC Technology) in developing life insurance software. Here, our Florida trade secret protection attorney provides a comprehensive overview of the key things you should know about this case.

The Verdict: India-Based Company Liable for Trade Secret Misappropriation 

DXC Technology is the corporate successor to a company called Computer Sciences Corp. In 2019, Computer Sciences Corp filed a trade secret misappropriation lawsuit against the India-based firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The complaint argued that TCS improperly stole trade secrets, including using confidential information about their life insurance software and their annuity policy management software in order to develop a competing platform.

The lawsuit was filed in the United States District for the Northern District of Texas. After a lengthy trial, a jury found TCS liable for trade secret misappropriation. Indeed, based on the evidence presented, the jury determined that the conduct of TCS constituted willful and malicious misuse of trade secrets. In total, a $210 million verdict was entered against TCS. Notably, the company lost another trade secret misappropriation lawsuit involving a competitor earlier this year.

 What is a Trade Secret? 

A trade secret is a form of IP. It comprises confidential, non-public information that gives a business a competitive advantage. Trade secrets can come in a wide array of different forms—from formulas to practices to designs to instruments to processes.

To qualify as a trade secret, the information must be actively kept secret and it must have tangible economic value that is based on its secrecy. If a company does not make a proactive, reasonably sufficient effort to keep information confidential then it does not qualify as a trade secret under either Florida law or federal law.

 Trade Secrets May Be Protected Under Both State and Federal Law 

It is important to emphasize that trade secrets can be safeguarded under both state law and federal law. While there is some variation from state-to-state, most states largely follow the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. Beyond that, in 2016, the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) was passed into law at the federal level. The DTSA protects trade secrets nationwide. For companies that have been victimized by the misappropriation of a trade secret have two main legal remedies available:

• An injunction to stop further trade secret misappropriation; and
• The payment of financial compensation for damages.

 Contact Our Florida Trade Secret Misappropriation Lawyer for Immediate Help

At Perkins Law, our Florida intellectual property attorney has experience handling complex trade secret misappropriation cases. If you have any questions or concerns about the violation of a trade secret, we can help. Call us now or connect with us online to set up your confidential initial appointment. Our firm handles trade secret misappropriation cases throughout Florida.

Source:

reuters.com/legal/litigation/tata-group-unit-owes-210-mln-us-trade-secret-fight-jury-says-2023-11-21/