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The Delaware Supreme Court recently clarified that forfeiture-for-competition clauses under the Employee Choice Doctrine may be enforceable against a broader range of employees, including middle managers, not just senior-level executives or more highly compensated employees. These clauses require employees to forfeit certain benefits—such as stock options or severance pay—if they leave their employer and subsequently work for a competitor. Unlike

Continue Reading Freedom to Compete, But at a Cost: Delaware Signals Forfeiture Clauses Could Be a Viable Non-Compete Alternative

In 2024, Seyfarth’s Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud & Non-Compete practice group presented a series of dynamic and insightful CLE webinars, addressing pivotal challenges confronting businesses head-on. The breadth of our discussions encompassed a spectrum of critical topics:

  1. 2024 Trade Secrets & Non-Competes Year in Review
  2. Navigating the Intersection of Non-Compete Agreements and Employee Mobility
  3. Employee Training Programs: Building a Culture of Confidentiality
  4. Navigating Legal Minefields: Insights from Seyfarth’s 2024 Commercial Litigation Outlook
  5. Deciphering the FTC’s Non-Compete Ban: Navigating the New Regulatory Terrain and Adequately Protecting Employers’ Interests
  6. Data Protection and Cybersecurity: Safeguarding Trade Secrets in the Digital Age
  7. Unveiling Trade Secrets Breaches: Leveraging Forensic Exams for Robust IP Protection
  8. Enforcement Strategies Beyond Litigation: Leveraging Alternative Dispute Resolution
  9. Trade Secrets Audits: Assessing and Strengthening Your Company’s IP Protection
  10. What Employers Need to Know Regarding Non-Compete Changes in 2024

To conclude our impactful 2024 webinar series, we’ve carefully compiled key takeaways from each session. If you missed any sessions, recordings are available on our blog or through the provided links. We’re excited to share that Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit is attainable by watching the webinar recordings. For CLE credit inquiries, please email cle@seyfarth.com after viewing the webinar.Continue Reading 2024 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Recap: Key Takeaways and Access to Recordings

Once upon a time in the Eastern District of New York, a cryptocurrency foundation, new owners of the sole copy of Wu-Tang Clan’s “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin,” filed suit against the album’s former purchaser, Martin Shkreli, accusing him of wrongfully retaining copies of album data with the intent to publicly release it. The dispute has proved contentious, with

Continue Reading Cryptocurrency Collective Files Trade Secret Suit to Protect Its Interest in Wu-Tang Clan Album

The ongoing battle between DraftKings Inc. and its former executive, Michael Hermalyn, remains contentious, with the District of Massachusetts’ decision to enforce Hermalyn’s non-compete now appealed and argued to the First Circuit.

Background

DraftKings, a Boston-based online sports and gaming platform, employed Hermalyn as a Senior Vice President. He resigned in February 2024, consummating negotiations with DraftKings’ direct competitor, Fanatics

Continue Reading DraftKings Dispute with Former Executive Presents Battle Over Choice of Law for Non-Compete Agreements

All bets are off in a Boston-based dispute between DraftKings Inc. and one of its former vice presidents. On April 30, 2024, the District of Massachusetts granted DraftKings a twelve-month preliminary injunction preventing its former Senior Vice President of Growth, Customer, Michael Hermalyn, from violating his restrictive covenants with DraftKings or misappropriating its confidential information.

Background

DraftKings is an online

Continue Reading DraftKings Obtains Restrictive Covenant and Trade Secret Injunction Against Former Executive

In the ever-evolving digital landscape as well as legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes to the use of non-competes, the preservation of trade secrets stands as a cornerstone for businesses striving to secure a competitive edge. As we continue to navigate the complexities of remote work and the jurisdictional differences in restrictive covenant enforcement, the safeguarding of these invaluable

Continue Reading Webinar Recap! Navigating the Intersection of Non-Compete Agreements and Employee Mobility

Aegis Spine Inc. has agreed to pay $8,000,000 to fellow spinal implant manufacturer Life Spine Inc., following Life Spine’s suit in the Northern District of Illinois alleging Aegis had misappropriated Life Spine’s trade secrets to create a “knockoff” competitive implant.

Life Spine, based in Illinois, develops and manufactures medical devices aimed at treating various spinal disorders. Its principal line of

Continue Reading Medical Device Companies Settle Trade Secrets Dispute for $8,000,000

Tuesday, February 20, 2024
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Central
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mountain
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pacific

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About the Program

In the ever-evolving digital landscape as well as legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes to the use of non-competes, the preservation of trade secrets stands as

Continue Reading Upcoming Webinar! Navigating the Intersection of Non-Compete Agreements and Employee Mobility

In 2023, Seyfarth’s Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud & Non-Compete practice group presented a series of dynamic and insightful CLE webinars, addressing pivotal challenges confronting businesses head-on. The breadth of our discussions encompassed a spectrum of critical topics:

  1. FTC Proposes Rule Banning Use of Non-Competes. Now What?
  2. 2022 Trade Secrets & Non-Competes Year in Review
  3. Commercial Litigation Outlook: Insights and Predictions for Litigation Trends in 2023
  4. NLRB and Restrictive Covenants: Trends in Employment Confidentiality
  5. Managing Trade Secrets in a Remote Work Environment
  6. What Employers Need to Know Regarding Non-Compete Changes in 2023

To conclude our impactful 2023 webinar series, we’ve carefully compiled key takeaways from each session. If you missed any sessions, recordings are available on our blog or through the provided links. We’re excited to share that Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit is attainable by watching the webinar recordings. For CLE credit inquiries, please email cle@seyfarth.com after viewing the webinar.Continue Reading 2023 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Recap: Key Takeaways and Access to Recordings

Boston Beer Corporation (“Boston Beer”) recently filed suit seeking monetary and injunctive relief in Massachusetts state court, alleging a former employee and his new employer, the competing alcoholic beverage company Downeast Cider House LLC (“Downeast”), were using Boston Beer’s trade secrets to unfairly compete with it and divert business opportunities to Downeast.

Boston Beer is a brewer and marketer of

Continue Reading Rival Boston Cider Companies Enter Trade Secret Dispute