Did you know that the number of federal cases involving theft of trade secrets by an employee or business partner doubled from 1988 to 1995, and then doubled from 1995 to 2004? Take a look at the Gonzaga Law Review (pdf), March 17, 2010. This increase appears to even dwarf the economy-driven steep increase in employment discrimination suits. Careful who you hire or associate with, and make sure that you get them to sign an appropriate confidentiality agreement — it will significantly improve your chance of success in court.