Trade Secret Theft Creates Triple Damages

A jury found two defendants liable for their former employer's misappropriation of trade secrets. The judge found this violated Chapter 93A and entitled the employer to triple damages plus attorney fees. "The total damage award was $5,061,444

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT… The general rule is that Chapter 93A does not apply to an employment relationship. However, not everything that involves employment is part of the employment relationship here. Although the persons who stole the trade secrets were employees, what they did was not in connection with their employment, so 93A did apply.