Strategies: Trade secrets protection gets a big boost from new federal law

In just a few short months, you'll be able to make a federal case out of someone misappropriating your company's trade secrets.

Last month Congress passed the Defense of Trade Secrets Act which is now awaiting signature by President Obama. The act puts new teeth into existing trade secret protection mechanisms. Here's a summary:

The act amends the Economic Espionage Act of 1996, which previously allowed for civil and criminal proceedings but only if brought by the Department of Justice. The…