economic espionage act
Economic Espionage Act. Trade secrets. A 1996 federal statute criminalizing the misappropriation of trade secrets and providing criminal penalties for industrial espionage by or for a foreign entity. • The Act also applies to one who knowingly receives, purchases, or possesses stolen trade-secret information. 18 USCA §§ 1831–1839. — Sometimes termed Industrial Espionage Act.