US Senate urged to introduce trade secrets bill

US Congressman have been urged to introduce the Defend Trade Secrets Act ahead of a hearing at the US Senate judiciary committee due to take place today.

Trade organisation the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) sent a letter to “express strong support” for the legislative proposals.

“The current legal tools available to remedy trade secret theft are inefficient and inconsistent with other areas of intellectual property law ... Enacting the legislation will place the US in a position to promote strong trade secrets protection globally,” the IPO argued in a letter dated Monday, November 30.

Today, December 2, the US Senate judiciary committee will hold a hearing on the bi-partisan bill, which was first introduced to the Senate in July.

If the bill is approved, companies would be able to have their trade secrets protected by federal law and defend them in federal courts.

The law’s remedies would b e consistent with those provided for other forms of intellectual property infringement, such as patent, trademark and copyright.

The hearing is due to begin at 10:00am EST.