Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) 2016: Federal law providing uniform federal protection for trade secrets, including definitions of trade secrets, remedies for misappropriation, and whistleblower protections
Economic Espionage Act: Federal law criminalizing the theft of trade secrets, particularly relevant for protecting sensitive business information during due diligence
Securities Exchange Act: Federal law governing securities trading and disclosure requirements, especially important when dealing with publicly traded companies in due diligence
Federal Rules of Evidence: Rules governing confidentiality and admissibility of evidence in federal courts, relevant for enforcement of NDA provisions
Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA): Model law adopted by most states providing framework for trade secret protection and remedies at state level
State Contract Laws: State-specific laws governing contract formation, enforcement, and interpretation
State Trade Secret Laws: State-specific variations on trade secret protection, complementing federal protection under DTSA
State Statutes of Limitations: Time limits for bringing legal actions under state law for breach of NDA or trade secret misappropriation
SEC Regulations: Federal securities regulations affecting disclosure and confidentiality requirements for public companies
Industry-Specific Regulations: Sector-specific requirements such as HIPAA for healthcare and GLBA for financial services affecting information handling
FTC Regulations: Federal Trade Commission rules regarding data protection and unfair business practices
Common Law Contract Principles: Legal principles developed through court decisions regarding contract formation, consideration, and enforceability
