ContrastingtheDTSAand
AUT S A Despite the many similarities in the DTSA and the AUTSA, there may be reasons for a
plaintiff to
bring a claim
under just one
statute or the
other—or
both. In order
to better
understand
such scenarios,
the differences
and similarities
in the key
features and
provisions of
the DTSA and
the AUTSA
are reflected
in the table
to the right.
18 U.S.C. § 1836(b)( 1) (private
cause of action for trade-secret
misappropriation)
18 U.S.C. § 1836(d) (three-year
statute of limitations)
A.R.S. § 44-403(A) (private
cause of action for trade-secret
misappropriation)
A.R.S. § 44-406 (three-year
statute of limitations)
Private Cause of Action &
Statute of Limitations
18 U.S.C.A. § 1839( 3) (
definition of “trade secret”)
A.R.S. § 44-401( 4) (definition
of “trade secret”)
Definition of “Trade Secret”
18 U.S.C.A. § 1839( 5) (definition
of “misappropriation”)
18 U.S.C. § 1839( 6) (definition
of “improper means”)
A.R.S. § 44-401( 2) (definition
of “misappropriation”)
A.R.S. § 44-401( 1) (definition
of “improper means”)
Definition of “Misappropriation”
and “Improper Means”
18 U.S.C. § 1838 (effect on
other laws)
A.R.S. § 44-406 (effect on
other laws)
Preemption of Claims Based on
Similar Facts
18 U.S.C. § 1836(b)( 3)(B)
(damages provision)
18 U.S.C. § 1836(b)( 3)(C)
(exemplary damages provision)
18 U.S.C. § 1836(b)( 3)(D)
(attorney fee provision)
A.R.S. § 44-403(A) (damages
provision)
A.R.S. § 44-403(B) (exemplary
damages provision)
A.R.S. § 44-404 (attorney fee
provision)
Damages
18 U.S.C. § 1836(b)( 3)(A)
(injunctive relief provision)
A.R.S. § 44-402 (injunctive
relief provision)
Injunctive Relief
1. See Orca Communications Unlimited LLC v. Noder, 236 Ariz.
180, 184-85 (2014) (
discussing scope of A.R.S. § 44-406).
2. See, e.g., Liss v. Exel Transp.
Servs., Inc., No. CIV 04-2001
PHXSMM, 2007 WL 891167,
at 9 (D. Ariz. Mar. 20, 2007)
(“It is unclear whether Arizona
recognizes the theory of inevitable disclosure as the Court
did not locate a single case in
Arizona applying this theory.”).
