TABLE OF CONTENTS Certificate ; Acknowledgement ; List of abbreviations ; Table of cases ; Foreign cases ; Indian Cases ; Chapter 1 • Introduction ; 1.1 Introduction ; 1.2 Research Gap ; 1.3 Research Objectives ; 1.4 Research Problem ; 1.5 Hypotheses ; 1.6 Research Questions ; 1.7 Research Methodology ; 1.8 Mode of Citation ; 1.9 Sources of Data ; 1.10 Chapterisation ; Review of Literature ; Chapter 2 - Trade Secrets nature and concept ; 2.1 Trade secrets explained ; 2.2 Information which qualifies for trade secret protection ; 2.2.1 Secrecy ; 2.2.2 Commercial Value ; 2.2.3 Responsible steps to maintain secrecy ; 2.3 Difference between trade secrets and confidential information ; 2.4 Limitations on trade secrets ; 2.4.1 General Knowledge or information in public domain ; 2.4.2 Reverse Engineering ; 2.4.3 Independent discoveries ; 2.4.4 Innocent acquisition of information ; 2.4.5 Statutory obligation and public interest ; 2.5 Conclusion ; Chapter 3 - Evolution of law on trade secrets ; 3.1 United States ; 3.1.1 State law ; 3.1.2.Federal Law ; 3 • . 1 Trade Secrets Act, 1996 ; 3.1.2.2 Economic Espionage Act, 1996 ; 3.1 .2.3 Defend Trade Secrets Act, 2016 ; 3.1.2.4 Tort Law ; 3.1.2.5 Contract Law ; 3.1.2.6 Property Law ; 3.2 European Union ; 3.2.1 EU Trade Secret Directive ; 3.3 India ; 3.4 Conclusion ; Chapter 4 - Trade Secrets as Property ; 4.1 United States ; 4.2 European Union ; 4.3 India ; 4.4 Rationale for granting trade secrets property status ; 4.4.1 Usufructuary property ; 4.4.2 Integrated Theory of property ; 4.4.3 Alternative argument ; 4.5 Conclusion ; Chapter 5 -Interaction of trade secrets with other IPRs ; 5.1 Trade Secrets and Patents ; 5.2 Trade Secrets and Copyright Law ; 5.3 Trade secrets and Trademark law ; 5.4 Comparison between Trade Secrets, Patents, Copyright and Trade Marks; 5.5.Conclusion ; Chapter 6 -International and National legislative framework protecting trade secrets ; 6.1 Defend Trade Secrets Act ; 6.1.1 Lacunae in the law ; 6.2 European Union Trade Secret Directive ; 6.2.1 Lacunae in the law ; 6.3 Indian Position ; 6.3.1 I raft National Innovation Act, 2008 ; 6.3.2 Critical analysis of the Draft National innovation Act, 2008 ; 6.4 Conclusion ; Chapter 7 - Trade secrets and criminal law ; 7.1 Criminality of an Act: its nature ; 7.2 criminal laws and trade secrets: An overview ; 7.3 Criminalisation of trade secret Theft: Rationale ; Chapter 8 - Suggestions and Conclusion ; 8.1 Suggestions ; 8.2 Concluding remarks ; Bibliography ; Statutes and International Treaties ; Indian Statutes ; United States Statutes ; EU statutes ; International Treaties ; Reports ; Books ; Journals ; Online Articles ; News Articles .