At the Aldrich Law Firm, Ltd., we understand it is vital for Las Vegas business owners like yourself to protect a company’s valuable copyrights and trade secrets. It could be devastating if a former employee or business associate used confidential information that he or she knows about your company against you. Fortunately, you have options that may put an end to these actions before they cause too much damage.
What could you do if, for example, a cook who used to work at your restaurant started using one of your recipes at his own diner? You might consider taking him to court, but the litigation process could go on for weeks or months. Meanwhile, the cook could continue serving your dish, possibly misleading customers into believing it is his own and drawing away your clientele. According to the Cornell University Law School’s Legal Information Institute, your first option might be to seek a preliminary injunction against the former cook.
This legal order would require the cook to immediately stop engaging in an action that could cause your business irreparable harm – in this case, using your recipe. In order to obtain a preliminary injunction, you would need to prove to the judge that it is necessary. The defendant would have the opportunity to appeal the order, or tell his side of the story during a trial if you pursue legal action against him.
Preliminary injunctions may also be effective against such actions as trademark infringement, copyright or patent theft, shareholder disputes and other misdeeds that could impact the success of your company. Learn more about protecting your business’s interests by visiting our page on trade secret litigation.
