NCJ Number
116839
Date Published
1988
Length
44 pages
Annotation
This study examines the issue of industrial espionage -- the theft of proprietary information or trade secrets from U.S. industries -- and reports the results of a survey of high technology companies on the degree of trade secrets theft.
Abstract
One of the research goals of the study was to determine whether high technology companies will admit to being victimized by trade secrets theft and whether such victimization is extensive enough to warrant a comprehensive national study of the problem. A second goal was to collect information on trade secret theft and to measure company and criminal justice responses to the thefts. The study sample included 41 communications companies; 45 oil, gas, and mining companies; and 124 industrial and manufacturing companies. Information from company security directors was obtained from mail and telephone survey questionnaires. Of the 150 companies responding to the survey, 48 percent reported that they had been victims of trade secrets theft at some time. Research and development data were most often targeted for theft, with new technology information second. Those carrying out the theft were most likely to be insiders or employees of the targeted company. Security directors responding to the survey identified three major criminal justice weaknesses in handling trade secrets theft cases: lack of expertise, lack of resources, and low priority given to these cases. Sanctions for trade secrets theft were also evaluated by the respondents.