Congress has overwhelmingly approved and President Obama has signed into law the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (DTSA), a new law that gives companies the right to sue in federal court for misappropriation of their trade secrets. Previously, such lawsuits could be brought only under state law.
The DTSA allows a company to bring a federal lawsuit against an individual or company, including a current or former employee, for stealing, disclosing, or using trade secrets, and to recover damages and equitable remedies. The law also provides for immunity for certain whistleblowers and requires employers to include notice of the immunity provision in nondisclosure contracts with employees, contractors, and consultants.
The full text of the DTSA is available here.
Members of the Equal Employment Advisory Council (EEAC) can read more here.