NCJ Number
168673
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 66 Issue: 7 Dated: July 1997 Pages: 28-32
Date Published
1997
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The development of proprietary economic information, commonly called trade secrets, is an integral part of virtually every aspect of U.S. trade, commerce, and business, but the increasing value of such information in the global marketplace and the corresponding spread of technology have combined to significantly increase opportunities and motives for conducting espionage and trade secret theft.
Abstract
Foreign governments, organized criminal enterprises, and rogue thieves use various means to target individuals and industries to gain illicit access to valuable information and technologies. In response, the Economic Espionage Act (EEA) of 1996 has been passed to make the theft and misappropriation of trade secrets Federal crimes. The EEA adds a new Chapter 90 to Title 18 of the United States code to combat both economic espionage and more conventional forms of trade secret theft and misappropriation. Chapter 90 defines key terms, prescribes stiff maximum punishments, includes forfeiture provisions, provides for extraterritorial jurisdiction under certain circumstances, preserves existing State laws on the subject, and protects the confidentiality of trade secrets during enforcement proceedings. Relevant sections of the EEA and its impact on State and local law enforcement are discussed. 4 endnotes and 2 photographs