New Jersey has finally enacted a law allowing civil actions for the misappropriation of trade secrets.  The Trade Secrets Act (“The Act”) signed by Governor Christie on January 9, 2012 provides remedies available to the holder of a trade secret that has been acquired by improper means or improperly disclosed. 

The Act provides an arsenal of remedies, including compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees. The legislation defines a trade secret as information such as a formula, pattern, business data compilation, technique, invention and/or process. New Jersey now joins 46 other states who have enacted a trade secrets statute.