Bill > A08105

This bill creates the Uniform Trade Secrets Act in New York, establishing a comprehensive legal framework for protecting trade secrets and addressing their misappropriation. The bill defines key terms such as "trade secret" (which includes various forms of business, scientific, and technical information that has economic value and is kept reasonably secret), "misappropriation" (which covers unauthorized acquisition, use, or disclosure of trade secrets), and "improper means" (including theft, bribery, and breaching confidentiality agreements). The legislation provides several legal remedies for trade secret owners, including the ability to seek injunctive relief to prevent or stop misappropriation, recover damages for actual losses and unjust enrichment, and potentially obtain exemplary damages in cases of willful misconduct. The bill also establishes a three-year statute of limitations for bringing misappropriation claims, allows courts to award attorney's fees in certain circumstances, and mandates that courts take steps to preserve the confidentiality of trade secrets during legal proceedings. Importantly, the act does not supersede existing contractual or criminal remedies and is designed to create uniformity in trade secret protection across jurisdictions. The law will take effect 180 days after enactment and will not apply retroactively to misappropriations that occurred before its effective date.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8105