Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA): Federal law from 2016 that provides uniform federal protection for trade secrets and allows companies to file trade secret cases in federal courts
Copyright Act: 1976 federal law protecting original works of authorship, including design works, from unauthorized copying or use
Economic Espionage Act: 1996 federal law that criminalizes the theft of trade secrets and provides additional protection for confidential business information
Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA): Federal law protecting visual artists' moral rights, including rights of attribution and integrity for works of visual art
Uniform Trade Secrets Act: State-level legislation (adopted by most states) that provides consistent state protection for trade secrets and confidential information
State Contract Laws: State-specific laws governing contract formation, enforcement, and interpretation that vary by jurisdiction
State Employment Laws: State-specific regulations governing employment relationships, particularly relevant if the designer is an employee rather than contractor
Contract Formation Requirements: Legal principles requiring consideration, capacity, and mutual intent for valid contract formation
Design Rights Protection: Specific provisions for protecting digital design assets, portfolio usage rights, and design process confidentiality
Remedies and Enforcement: Legal provisions for injunctive relief, monetary damages, and requirements for return of confidential materials in case of breach
