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Employee IP Theft Attorneys in Los Angeles
Employee intellectual property theft is one of the most common and damaging threats businesses face. When current or former employees steal trade secrets, proprietary data, or confidential information, our attorneys take immediate action to protect your business.
Contact us today for an urgent consultation with a Los Angeles attorney who specializes in employee IP theft cases and will protect your company’s most valuable assets.
What Is Employee IP Theft?
Employee IP theft occurs when a current or former employee misappropriates a company’s intellectual property — including trade secrets, proprietary software, customer data, business plans, or other confidential information — for personal gain or to benefit a competitor. This is one of the most prevalent forms of IP theft in California’s competitive business environment.
Common forms of employee IP theft include downloading proprietary files before departure, forwarding confidential emails to personal accounts, copying customer lists and pricing information, taking source code or product designs, and using trade secrets to launch a competing business. The rise of remote work and cloud-based storage has made employee IP theft easier to commit and harder to detect.
Under California law, employers can pursue claims under the California Uniform Trade Secrets Act (CUTSA), the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA), and related causes of action such as breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract (NDA violations), and conversion. In serious cases, criminal prosecution may be available under California Penal Code § 499c.
At Novian & Novian, our employee IP theft attorneys act quickly to identify the scope of the theft, obtain emergency injunctive relief, and pursue full compensation for the damage to your business.
How Can an Employee IP Theft Attorney Help Your Business?
An employee IP theft attorney helps businesses respond to and prevent the theft of confidential information by current and former employees. These cases require immediate investigation, emergency court relief, and a comprehensive litigation strategy.
Our attorneys at Novian & Novian work with digital forensics experts to trace stolen data, identify the scope of the breach, and preserve evidence for litigation. We seek emergency TROs and preliminary injunctions, pursue damages in court, and help implement preventive measures to reduce future risk.
If you suspect an employee has stolen your company’s intellectual property, contact Novian & Novian immediately. Time is critical — delays can allow stolen information to spread and make recovery far more difficult.
What Our Clients Say
“A departing engineer downloaded our entire codebase before leaving to join a competitor. Novian & Novian obtained an emergency injunction and recovered the stolen IP within a week.”
— Business Owner, Los Angeles
“We discovered that a former sales director had taken our entire client list. Novian & Novian’s digital forensics investigation proved the theft and secured a significant damages award.”
— Business Owner, Century City
“Novian & Novian not only handled our employee IP theft case, they also helped us implement protection policies that have prevented any recurrence. Truly comprehensive service.”
— Business Owner, Westwood
Why Choose Novian & Novian for Employee IP Theft Cases?
Novian & Novian has represented businesses in employee IP theft cases throughout California for over 35 years, with deep experience in technology, entertainment, healthcare, and professional services industries.
We understand that employee IP theft can be devastating to your competitive position. Our attorneys combine legal expertise with digital forensic capabilities to act quickly and effectively.
Rapid Response
We understand the urgency of employee IP theft cases. Our attorneys are prepared to seek emergency injunctive relief within hours of engagement to prevent further dissemination of your confidential information.
Digital Forensics Expertise
We partner with leading digital forensics firms to trace stolen files, analyze email and cloud storage activity, and build irrefutable evidence of misappropriation.
Comprehensive Legal Strategy
We pursue all available claims — trade secret misappropriation, breach of NDA, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, and unfair competition — to maximize your recovery and deter future theft.
Preventive Counseling
Beyond litigation, we help businesses strengthen their IP protection through employee agreements, access controls, exit interview protocols, and data security policies.
Criminal Referral Support
In egregious cases, we coordinate with law enforcement and support criminal prosecution of trade secret theft under state and federal law.
FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions:
What Should I Do If I Suspect an Employee Is Stealing IP?
Act immediately: preserve all evidence (do not confront the employee first), contact an attorney, engage a digital forensics firm to investigate, and consider seeking emergency injunctive relief to prevent further dissemination.
Can I Sue a Former Employee for Taking Confidential Information?
Yes. Former employees who take trade secrets, violate NDAs, or breach their fiduciary duties can be sued under the California Uniform Trade Secrets Act, the Defend Trade Secrets Act, and other causes of action.
Are NDAs Enforceable Against Employees in California?
Yes. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are enforceable in California and are distinct from non-compete agreements, which are generally prohibited. A well-drafted NDA is a critical tool for protecting trade secrets.
What Evidence Do I Need for an Employee IP Theft Case?
Key evidence includes server and email logs, access records, file download history, communications with competitors, forensic imaging of company devices, and the NDA or employment agreement.
Can I Recover Damages for Employee IP Theft?
Yes. Available damages include actual losses, the employee’s unjust enrichment, reasonable royalties, exemplary damages for willful misappropriation (up to 2x actual damages), and attorney’s fees.
How Can I Prevent Employee IP Theft?
Implement comprehensive NDAs, limit access to sensitive information on a need-to-know basis, conduct thorough exit interviews, monitor for unusual data access patterns, and establish clear data security policies.
Employee Stole Your IP? Take Immediate Action.
Our Los Angeles employee IP theft attorneys act with urgency to stop the theft and recover your proprietary information. Contact Novian & Novian now.
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