A recent opinion by the Dallas Court of Appeals explains what constitutes a trade secret and gives an example of information acquired through unfair means. The court defines a trade secret as “any formula, pattern, device, or compilation of information that is used in one’s business and presents an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not...
Continue ReadingAs a recent opinion by the Fifth Circuit indicates, an employment agreement that provides that all work product created by the employee becomes the property of the employer may give rise to a fiduciary relationship between the employee and employer. In that opinion, a company entered into an employment agreement with a chemist. The contract provided that “[a]ny formulae,...
Continue ReadingA recent opinion by the Dallas Court of Appeals demonstrates that merely inducing a party to a contract to do something that it is permitted to do under the contract generally cannot, standing alone, constitute tortious interference. In that case, a bank held a piece of real property in trust. A partnership executed a contract with the bank to...
Continue ReadingEven after the Marsh USA case, some noncompete agreements are still unenforceable in Texas. In a recent opinion by the Texarkana Court of Appeals, the noncompete agreement stated as follows: I agree not to seek employment on a temporary, contract or permanent basis at any company where introduced by Hiring Partners, Inc. for a period of ninety (90) days....
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