Trade secret misappropriators — including cyber-thieves — have been ahead of the curve. For quite some time, they have appreciated just how valuable companies’ trade secrets are. Indeed, that is why they have been aggressively stealing those assets.
Trade secret owners are finally catching up and catching on, in terms of measures to protect their trade secrets and advantageously converting those assets into IP capital. That somewhat overdue response was just one of the compelling issues addressed at Ocean Tomo’s recent Trade Secret Management & Monetization Symposium.
The Symposium, which was held in Chicago on September 10, 2013, comprised more than 20 esteemed IP and security experts. Those experts included leading cyber-security strategists, in-house counsel, outside counsel and Ocean Tomo managing directors, all of whom shared their insights on various business, security and legal issues relating to trade secrets. (Copies of the Symposium presentations can be accessed here.)
Overall, the Symposium underscored that trade secret assets are at great risk in the cyber-age economy, but a well-developed and properly protected and leveraged trade secret portfolio can yield significant returns. The experts also delved into the interplay between patents and trade secrets and enforcing and valuing trade secrets.
The Symposium was more than best–in-class –- it set the standard for trade secret-focused events. Next year’s Symposium promises to be just as insightful because trade secrets, as IP assets, will gain further momentum in the next year. I encourage all trade secret owners to attend next year’s Symposium.