Two recent court decisions helped clarify Ohio law on trade secrets. The questions recently decided by the courts are whether raw data about prospective customers rises to the level of trade secret status, and whether a trade secret loses its status when it is memorized by a departing employee. Alan and John provide a brief overview of what constitutes a trade secret and then discuss two recent court decisions.

Strong brands add significant value to a business. At the core of every solid brand is a unique and defensible trademark that conveys the source or origin of the business’s goods or services. Jeremy and Barbara discuss how to select a powerful trademark and the importance of conducting trademark clearance searches to assess the risk before using a new mark.

Review our handout to determine - “How strong is your trademark?”

Presenters:
Jim Hopple, Schottenstein Zox and Dunn, Partner in the Creditors’ Rights and Business Restructuring Practice Group
Linda Mindrutiu, Schottenstein Zox and Dunn, Associate in the Creditors’ Rights and Business Restructuring Practice Group

Tough economic times, particularly in the automotive industry, have forced numerous manufacturers and processors in the automotive supply chain into bankruptcy.  Often the business filing bankruptcy will have possession of molds or tooling owned by another entity used to make product for that customer. 

A recent decision by the Bankruptcy Court in the Plastech Engineered Products, Inc. case in Michigan permitted Plastech, as the bankruptcy debtor, to keep possession of Chrysler’s tooling notwithstanding Chrysler’s attempts to move the tooling to another source. 

Please join us as Jim and Linda discuss the details of this decision and its potential adverse effects.

Tough economic conditions have compelled businesses, including plastics processors, to explore alternative means by which to expand product lines, increase market share and otherwise grow their businesses.  Joint ventures offer a creative option to gain access to the strengths of other businesses and to share the costs (and risks) of expanding an enterprise’s prospects. Joe and Cate discuss this flexible growth alternative and consider the key considerations any business contemplating a joint venture must keep in mind in order to achieve success.

Central Ohio is making it easier for technology-based businesses start, grow and prosper. With the creation of programs such as: TechStart, the Regional Commercialization Fund and the Ohio TechAngel Fund, business owners are finding it easier to launch or expand a technology-based business. Susan Rector and Will Indest discuss the ways that tech businesses can jump start or accelerate their growth in Ohio.

Click here to download an overview of the Technology Startup Funding Continuum PDF.

Trade secrets are valuable business assets not protected by patent, trademark or copyright. With employees working with laptops, cell phones and PDAs, the digitization of trade secrets makes it easy for employees to remove valuable information without detection, send it to others, and post it on the Internet.  Alan Rothenbuecher, along with Jay Krasovec, discuss the practical steps a trade secret owner can use to minimize risk.