Addressing the piracy of ideas, including the form of intellectual property (IP) known as trade secrets, the former Chairman of one of RatnerPrestia's (RP's) clients, IBM, stated:

A hundred years ago in Phoenix, a quick way to find yourself on Boot Hill was to be caught claim jumping. Modern claim jumpers don't carry six guns; they are stealing far more than their predecessors ever dreamed of taking.

Global competition, the immediate dissemination of information via the Internet, and employee mobility--among other factors--make it more critical than ever for companies to protect their valuable trade secret assets against unauthorized disclosure and misappropriation.

The Chair of RP's Trade Secrets Practice Group is Jacques Etkowicz. One of the firm's most experienced attorneys, Robert P. Seitter, is a member of the Group. He brings special expertise from the vantage of having served as corporate counsel for a large company that relied upon the competitive advantage offered by valuable trade secrets. Although our Group focuses its initial efforts on prophylactic measures and counseling, litigation is sometimes necessary to protect our clients' trade secrets. Toward that end, our trial lawyers can draw on cumulative experience in courts throughout the United States. In addition, our trade secrets lawyers stay current on this unique area of IP practice by constantly surveying legal developments in the field.

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions regarding trade secrets.