Tag Archives: DTSA

Russell Beck is giving a series of presentations across the country about the Defend Trade Secrets Act.

In May 2016, President Obama signed the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”)—a law that is arguably the most significant development in trade secrets law in over 30 years—putting trade secrets on par with other intellectual property.

On May 24, Russell spoke on a panel at the Boston Bar Association titled “The Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016: A Federal Private Action for Global Unfair Competition.” The presentation focused on the anticipated utility of the new federal law:

Last month, responding to estimated annual losses to foreign thieves of $300 billion of trade secrets and 2.1 million jobs, Congress voted nearly unanimously (Senate 87-0, House 410-2) to enact the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”).

Will the new ex parte seizure provision adapted from anti-counterfeiting law help stem these losses?  Or does the existing Economic Espionage Act of 1996 framework into which DTSA was inserted expose American companies to claims of misappropriation in foreign territory?

On May 26, Russell appeared with a panel on a webinar hosted by the American Intellectual Property Law Association titled “Are you ready for the Defend Trade Secrets Act?” The presentation focused on what practitioners need to know and do regarding the DTSA. The panelists discussed the law’s addition of federal jurisdiction as an option for litigants, the statute creates opportunities and uncertainties around how and where to file litigation, as well as how to deal with combined state and federal claims.

On May 26, Russell also gave a presentation with a panel at the Massachusetts Bar Association titled “What’s Mine is Mine — Trade Secrets: The new federal private right of action for misappropriation of trade secrets.”

On May 27, Russell and Stephen Chow, of Burns & Levinson, LLP, gave a seminar at Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education titled “‘1st Look at the Defend Trade Secrets Act.” The MCLE seminar focused on the impact of the DTSA on companies’ ability to protect their trade secrets, the potential ramifications of missteps along the way, and the risks to U.S. companies and others. A recording of this webcast is available online from MCLE.

In addition, on May 19, Russell moderated a panel discussion at the American Intellectual Property Law Association‘s 2016 Spring Meeting Session in Minneapolis, MN. The AIPLA presentation was titled “Corporate Practice/ Trade Secret Law” and it focused on topics including the ethics of monitoring employees for security breaches and the use of restrictive covenants for in-house counsel.

On June 13, 2016, Russell will be a panelist at the 8th Annual Symposium on Non-Compete Agreements and Trade Secrets in Boston. The Boston Bar Association is sponsoring the Symposium, which will be held on Monday, June 13, 2016, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at 16 Beacon Street in Boston. Registration information is here.

is among the leading authorities in trade secret, noncompete, and unfair competition law, and our experience handling these matters is backed by our extensive employment law and business litigation experience. Our hand-picked team combines attorneys with complementary expertise and practical experience.

Russell Beck’s work in this area is well recognized; it includes:

• Over sixteen years of working on trade secret, noncompete, and unfair competition matters

• Authoring the book Negotiating, Drafting, and Enforcing Noncompetition Agreements and Related Restrictive Covenants (5th ed., MCLE, Inc. 2015), used by other lawyers to help them with their noncompete cases

• Drafting and advising on legislation for the Massachusetts Legislature to define, codify, and improve noncompetition law

• Teaching Trade Secrets and Restrictive Covenants at Boston University School of Law

• Founding and administrating the award-winning blog, Fair Competition Law

• Establishing and administrating the Noncompete Lawyers and Trade Secret Protection groups on LinkedIn, with over 750 members around the world

• Founded and chaired the Trade Secret / Noncompete Practice for an AmLaw 100 firm

In addition, Russell has been repeatedly honored for his work in this area of law in the Chambers USA Guide, which explained that “Russell Beck of Beck Reed Riden LLP specializes in noncompete litigation and is a trade secrets expert. He comes highly recommended by his peers for his nationwide practice in this niche. ‘He’s fantastic,’ sources say.”

Beck Reed Riden LLP is Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience at large law firms, working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and labor and employment. We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.