ORS 646.461: Definitions for ORS 646.461 to 646.475.
Edition: 2025 EditionEffective: 2026-01-01Last verified: 2026-09-07
As used in ORS 646.461 to 646.475, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) “Improper means” includes theft, bribery, misrepresentation, breach or inducement of a breach of a duty to maintain secrecy or espionage through electronic or other means. Reverse engineering and independent development alone shall not be considered improper means. (2) “Misappropriation” means: (a) Acquisition of a trade secret of another by a person who knows or has reason to know that the trade secret was acquired by improper means; (b) Disclosure or use of a trade secret of another without express or implied consent by a person who used improper means to acquire knowledge of the trade secret; (c) Disclosure or use of a trade secret of another without express or implied consent by a person who, before a material change of position, knew or had reason to know that it was a trade secret and that knowledge of it had been acquired by accident or mistake; or (d) Disclosure or use of a trade secret of another without express or implied consent by a person, who at the time of disclosure or use, knew or had reason to know that the knowledge of the trade secret was: (A) Derived from or through a person who had utilized improper means to acquire it; (B) Acquired under circumstances giving rise to a duty to maintain its secrecy or limit its use; or (C) Derived from or through a person who owed a duty to the person seeking relief to maintain its secrecy or limit its use. (3) “Person” means a natural person, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision or agency or any other legal or commercial entity. (4) “Trade secret” means information, including a drawing, cost data, customer list, formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique or process that: (a) Derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to the public or to other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (b) Is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy. [1987 c.537 §2]
Administrative rules citing this section
- OAR 603-082-0010: Purpose — implements
- OAR 603-082-0020: Definitions — implements
This rule cites
- ORS 646.461 — resolved
- 646.475 — resolved
Cited by
- ORS 192.511: Oregon Sunshine Committee; membership; duties; rules.
- ORS 646.469: Preservation of trade secret by court; methods.
- ORS 646.473: Conflicting tort, restitution or other law providing civil remedies; exclusions for certain other remedies; limited immunity for public bodies and officers, employees and agents.
- ORS 646.475: Application and construction of ORS 646.461 to 646.475; short title; effect of invalidity.
- ORS 653.295: Noncompetition agreements; bonus restriction agreements; applicability of restrictions.
- OAR 123-400-0110: Records and Data Confidentiality
- OAR 137-049-0330: Receipt, Opening and Recording of Offers; Confidentiality of Offers
- OAR 340-090-0420: Confidential Information Procedure
- OAR 731-005-0600: Receipt, Opening, and Recording of Offers
- OAR 734-010-0400: Records Maintenance; Right to Audit Records
- OAR 736-149-0280: Temporary rule language in effect until 10/19/2026. Submission, Receipt, Opening, and Recording of Offers; Confidentiality of Offers
Official source: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors646.html