Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA): Federal law enacted in 2016 that provides uniform federal protection for trade secrets and allows companies to file civil lawsuits in federal court for trade secret misappropriation
Economic Espionage Act: Federal law that criminalizes the theft or misappropriation of trade secrets for the benefit of foreign entities or economic advantage
Securities Exchange Act: Federal law governing securities trading and requiring disclosure of material information for publicly traded companies involved in the business sale
Federal Antitrust Laws: Including Sherman Act and Clayton Act, these laws regulate business combinations and prevent anti-competitive practices during business sales
Uniform Trade Secrets Act: State-level legislation adopted by most states providing protection for trade secrets and defining remedies for their misappropriation
State Contract Laws: State-specific laws governing contract formation, enforcement, and interpretation that vary by jurisdiction
State Non-Compete Regulations: State-specific rules governing the enforcement and limitations of non-compete agreements in business transactions
FTC Regulations: Federal Trade Commission rules governing business transactions, mergers, and acquisitions to prevent unfair competition
Data Privacy Laws: Federal and state regulations governing the protection and handling of personal data during business transactions
Industry-Specific Regulations: Specialized regulations that may apply depending on the industry sector of the business being sold (e.g., healthcare, financial services, telecommunications)
