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unusual facts about trade secrets



Trade secrets in Canada

According to the Civil Code of Quebec, an action for breach of trade secrets or confidential business information generally arises either from a contractual liability action (article 1458) or, in the absence of a contract, from a civil liability action (article 1457).

The Civil Code of Quebec deals specifically with trade secrets in two articles (1472 and 1612); however, none of its provisions define the concept of trade secret.

According to Continental Casualty Company v. Combined Insurance Company (1967), the Quebec Court of Appeal decided that those who owned trade secrets (secrets de commerce) are entitled to seek protection and that Quebec courts are competent to grant remedies in the case the plaintiff can evidence its ownership of such trade secrets.


see also

Christou v. Beatport, LLC

In a similar case regarding whether social media accounts could be held as trade secrets, PhoneDog v. Kravitz, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California determined that Twitter follower lists and passwords could constitute trade secrets.

Dubious Brothers

Dubious Brothers' one album, Trade Secrets, was released on Shock Records in June 2002.

Mark Papermaster

The parties settled after Judge Kenneth Karas filed his opinion, agreeing that Papermaster can work for Apple but must pass two court certifications - one in July 2009 and the second in October 2009 - where he testified he had not passed on IBM trade secrets.

Silvaco Data Systems v. Intel Corp.

Silvaco sued Intel for misappropriation of trade secrets because Intel used software produced by a third-party that had misappropriated Silvaco's trade secrets.

Uniform Trade Secrets Act

PhoneDog v. Kravitz addressing whether social media accounts could constitute trade secrets