Maine Theft of Trade Secrets (Economic Espionage Act), 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1832, is a federal law that makes it a crime to steal or misappropriate trade secrets. The law applies to any individual or entity, regardless of citizenship, who knowingly steals, misappropriates, or attempts to misappropriate a trade secret. It also applies to any individual or entity who knowingly and without authorization receives, buys, or possesses a trade secret. A trade secret is defined as information that provides a business or individual with a competitive advantage over its competitors. There are three types of Maine Theft of Trade Secrets (Economic Espionage Act), 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1832: • Theft of Trade Secret by Misappropriation: This crime occurs when a person or entity obtains a trade secret without authorization and uses it for their own benefit or to the detriment of the rightful owner. • Theft of Trade Secrets by Fraud: This crime occurs when a person or entity knowingly misrepresents the nature, scope, or origin of a trade secret in order to gain access to it. • Theft of Trade Secrets by Espionage: This crime occurs when a person or entity acts on behalf of a foreign government, business, or organization to obtain a trade secret without authorization.