The city of Indianapolis has announced that on July 12, 2009, the default e-mail domain name for the city of Indianapolis and Marion County e-mail accounts will change from indygov.org to indy.gov. This name was chosen because it is easier for the public to remember and it will add the official distinction of the “.gov” suffix, which indicates an official government e-mail address. The change has already occurred on the official name of the Indianapolis/Marion County Web site (www.indy.gov). In addition, most city/county e-mail accounts will already accept messages directed to @indy.gov addresses. The domain name indygov.org will continue to be in service indefinitely, and there are no plans to disable the indygov.org e-mail addresses.
Intellectual property protection typically brings to mind the triumvirate of copyright, trademark and patent law. However, not all of your valuable proprietary information will fall into these three categories. Trade secret protection is an important alternative to understand as you shore up your intellectual property protection.
The precise language by which a trade secret is defined varies by jurisdiction, as do the particular types of information that are subject to trade secret protection. In Indiana, “trade secret” means information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process, that: (1) derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (2) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy. IC 24-2-3-2
Some common examples of business-related information that are subject to trade secret protection:
Customers’ identities
Marketing strategy
Price lists
Identities of suppliers
Budgets and resource allocations
Salaries
All of these types of information can give you a competitive business edge…so long as they don’t fall into the hands of your competitors. In order to maintain your trade secrets, it’s often necessary to have in place a company trade secret policy. Such a policy should include at least the following:
Have all employees, contractors, outside consultants or anyone else who may be exposed to sensitive information sign a confidentiality agreement. Consider making it a part of your employment contracts.
Keep sensitive material locked in a safe place, accessible only to those on a “need-to-know” basis.
Limit the circulation of confidential documents.
Clearly designate confidential documents as SECRET or CONFIDENTIAL.
Periodically review your trade secret policy with employees.
Your company likely has valuable, confidential information that should be protected as a trade secret. Consider consulting a trade secret professional to help your company establish a secure trade secret policy.
A Senate bill introduced recently, if approved, will repeal a 1999 Act barring U.S. courts from hearing claims by foreign nationals asserting rights to trademarks associated with expropriated property. The bill would also allow U.S. farmers and ranchers to export their products to Cuba and open travel by all Americans to Cuba. The bill, S. 1089, Promoting American Agriculture and Medical Exports to Cuba Act of 2009, was presented by Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and 14 others.
Section 211 of the FY 1999 Omnibus Appropriations Act bars U.S. courts from hearing claims by foreign nationals asserting rights to trademarks associated with expropriated property. It also bars the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office from renewing such trademark registrations. In 2001, however, the World Trade Organization (WTO) found that Section 211 violates WTO rules because it applies only to foreign nationals, not to U.S. citizens. Section 211 also violates the Inter-American Convention on reciprocal trademark protections. Section 9 of the 2009 Act would repeal Section 211 and bring the United States into compliance with international intellectual property obligations.
With regard to the agricultural exports, Senator Lugar stated, “Indiana farmers’ annual agricultural exports are increasing and have exceeded $2.4 billion in value. Access to the Cuban market, located near the United States in our own hemisphere, will be a valuable opportunity for Hoosier grain, livestock, and vegetable producers, as well as Indiana’s overall economy. I remain committed to increasing trade opportunities for Indiana’s farms and businesses.”
The Indiana Intellectual Property & Technology Law Blog will keep you updated on whether this legislation is passed.
Earlier today, President Obama spoke on American and Muslim relations. At Egypt’s Cairo University, Obama discussed Islam’s glories and rights, the legitimate rights of Israel and the Palestinians, Iranian nuclear aspirations, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, women’s rights, religious rights and democracy in the Muslim world.
The U.S. President’s speech also discussed economic development and tech innovations, the full text of which appears below (video starts at 45:43):
“Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.
I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence into the home. Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and change in communities. In all nations — including America — this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we lose control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities — those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.
But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradictions between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies enormously while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.
And this is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf states have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century — (applause) — and in too many Muslim communities, there remains underinvestment in these areas. I’m emphasizing such investment within my own country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas when it comes to this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.
On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America. (Applause.) At the same time, we will encourage more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in online learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a young person in Kansas can communicate instantly with a young person in Cairo.
On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.
On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create more jobs. We’ll open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new science envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, grow new crops. Today I’m announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.
All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.”
Leave a comment with your email if you’d like a copy of the full Complaint or Judgment.
Intellectual property protection typically brings to mind the triumvirate of copyright, trademark and patent law. However, not all of your valuable proprietary information will fall into these three categories. Trade secret protection is an important alternative to understand as you shore up your intellectual property protection.
With regard to the agricultural exports, Senator Lugar stated, “Indiana farmers’ annual agricultural exports are increasing and have exceeded $2.4 billion in value. Access to the Cuban market, located near the United States in our own hemisphere, will be a valuable opportunity for Hoosier grain, livestock, and vegetable producers, as well as Indiana’s overall economy. I remain committed to increasing trade opportunities for Indiana’s farms and businesses.”
Indiana Intellectual Property Blog 