Iowa Code » Chapter 550 — TRADE SECRETS
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 550.2 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of July 2026
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As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. “Improper means” means theft, bribery, misrepresentation, breach or inducement of a breach of a duty to maintain secrecy, or espionage, including but not limited to espionage through an electronic device.

2. “Knows” or “knowledge” means that a person has actual knowledge of information or a circumstance or that the person has reason to know of the information or circumstance.

3. “Misappropriation” means doing any of the following:

a. Acquisition of a trade secret by a person who knows that the trade secret is acquired by improper means.

b. Disclosure or use of a trade secret by a person who uses improper means to acquire the trade secret.

c. Disclosure or use of a trade secret by a person who at the time of disclosure or use, knows that the trade secret is derived from or through a person who had utilized improper means to acquire the trade secret.

d. Disclosure or use of a trade secret by a person who at the time of disclosure or use knows that the trade secret is acquired under circumstances giving rise to a duty to maintain its secrecy or limit its use.

e. Disclosure or use of a trade secret by a person who at the time of disclosure or use knows that the trade secret is derived from or through a person who owes a duty to maintain the trade secret’s secrecy or limit its use.

f. Disclosure or use of a trade secret by a person who, before a material change in the person’s position, knows that the information is a trade secret and that the trade secret has been acquired by accident or mistake.

4. “Trade secret” means information, including but not limited to a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process that is both of the following:

a. Derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by a person able to obtain economic value from its disclosure or use.

b. Is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy. 90 Acts, ch 1201, §2; 91 Acts, ch 35, §1 Referred to in §716.6B \n

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 44 cases, 1990–2017 · leading case: Interbake Foods, L.L.C. v. Tomasiello, 461 F. Supp. 2d 943 (N.D. Iowa 2006).
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Interbake Foods, L.L.C. v. Tomasiello, 461 F. Supp. 2d 943 (N.D. Iowa 2006). · cites it 39× “In Economy Roofing, the Iowa Supreme Court reaffirmed its broad interpretation of the definition of “trade secret” under Iowa Code § 550.2 (4): In a recent case we gave a broad interpretation of “information” that could legally constitute “trade secrets”: Under the plain…”
Uncle B's Bakery, Inc. v. O'ROURKE, 920 F. Supp. 1405 (N.D. Iowa 1996). · cites it 45× “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). Iowa Code section 550.”
Wachovia Sec., L.L.C. v. Stanton, 571 F. Supp. 2d 1014 (N.D. Iowa 2008). · cites it 26× “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). *1043 Iowa Code section 550.”
Cent. States Indus. Supply, Inc. v. McCullough, 279 F. Supp. 2d 1005 (N.D. Iowa 2003). · cites it 39× “Count III of the Complaint, denominated “Iowa Trade Secrets Act,” alleges that, in the course of his employment with CPI, McCullough had access to and became intimately familiar with CPI’s trade secrets, as defined by Iowa Code § 550.2 (4), and that McCullough’s taking of CPI’s…”
Econ. Roofing & Insulating Co. v. Zumaris, 538 N.W.2d 641 (Iowa 1995). · cites it 23× “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). Iowa Code section 550.”
NCMIC Fin. Corp. v. Artino, 638 F. Supp. 2d 1042 (S.D. Iowa 2009). · cites it 15× “; Iowa Code § 550.2 ; see Wachovia Sec., L.”
Walker Mfg., Inc. v. Hoffmann, Inc., 261 F. Supp. 2d 1054 (N.D. Iowa 2003). · cites it 26× “Definition of a “trade secret” Iowa Code § 550.2 (4) defines a trade secret as: [I]nformation, including but not limited to a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process that is both of the following: a.”
Iowa Film Prod. Servs. Mississippi Films, Inc. Polynation Pictures, Inc. Field of Screams, LLC Underground Films, Inc. Ticket Out Prods. Tricoast Iowa Prods., LLC Gpx Dev., LLC September Prods. LLC Lucky Mp, LLC & Recess Film Prod., LLC v. Iowa Dep't of Econ. Dev., 818 N.W.2d 207 (Iowa 2012). · cites it 18× “(quoting Iowa Code § 550.2 (4)). The two elements—subsections (a) and (b) of section 550.”
Am. Express Fin. Advisors, Inc. v. Yantis, 358 F. Supp. 2d 818 (N.D. Iowa 2005). · cites it 20× “The question of law involved in making such a determination is whether the information at issue constitutes a trade secret under the first part of the definition of “trade secret” set forth in Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). This section defines “trade secret” as “information, including…”
Cemen Tech, Inc. v. Three D Indus., L.L.C., 753 N.W.2d 1 (Iowa 2008). · cites it 6× “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). The Restatement (Third) of Unfair Competition (1995) [hereinafter Restatement] *7 is intended to be consistent with the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, such as our Code chapter 550, and we rely on it here.”
Olson v. Nieman's, Ltd., 579 N.W.2d 299 (Iowa 1998). · cites it 8× “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4) (emphasis added). Nieman argues that Olson’s device was generally known and readily ascertainable by proper means and was not economically valuable from not being generally known.”
US West Commc'ns, Inc. v. Off. of Consum. Advocate, 498 N.W.2d 711 (Iowa 1993). · cites it 8× “However, all parties agree that the definition contained in the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, Iowa Code section 550.2(4) (Supp.1991), is controlling.”
Show all 44 citing cases →
— Iowa Code § 550.2(1) — 7 cases
Econ. Roofing & Insulating Co. v. Zumaris, 538 N.W.2d 641 (Iowa 1995). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). Iowa Code section 550.”
Interbake Foods, L.L.C. v. Tomasiello, 461 F. Supp. 2d 943 (N.D. Iowa 2006). “In Economy Roofing, the Iowa Supreme Court reaffirmed its broad interpretation of the definition of “trade secret” under Iowa Code § 550.2 (4): In a recent case we gave a broad interpretation of “information” that could legally constitute “trade secrets”: Under the plain…”
NCMIC Fin. Corp. v. Artino, 638 F. Supp. 2d 1042 (S.D. Iowa 2009). “; Iowa Code § 550.2 ; see Wachovia Sec., L.”
Uncle B's Bakery, Inc. v. O'ROURKE, 920 F. Supp. 1405 (N.D. Iowa 1996). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). Iowa Code section 550.”
Seneca Companies v. Becker, 134 F. Supp. 3d 1148 (S.D. Iowa 2015).
— Iowa Code § 550.2(2) — 1 case
Seneca Companies v. Becker, 134 F. Supp. 3d 1148 (S.D. Iowa 2015).
— Iowa Code § 550.2(3) — 9 cases
Interbake Foods, L.L.C. v. Tomasiello, 461 F. Supp. 2d 943 (N.D. Iowa 2006). “In Economy Roofing, the Iowa Supreme Court reaffirmed its broad interpretation of the definition of “trade secret” under Iowa Code § 550.2 (4): In a recent case we gave a broad interpretation of “information” that could legally constitute “trade secrets”: Under the plain…”
Uncle B's Bakery, Inc. v. O'ROURKE, 920 F. Supp. 1405 (N.D. Iowa 1996). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). Iowa Code section 550.”
Wachovia Sec., L.L.C. v. Stanton, 571 F. Supp. 2d 1014 (N.D. Iowa 2008). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). *1043 Iowa Code section 550.”
Olson v. Nieman's, Ltd., 579 N.W.2d 299 (Iowa 1998). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4) (emphasis added). Nieman argues that Olson’s device was generally known and readily ascertainable by proper means and was not economically valuable from not being generally known.”
Econ. Roofing & Insulating Co. v. Zumaris, 538 N.W.2d 641 (Iowa 1995). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). Iowa Code section 550.”
— Iowa Code § 550.2(3)(a) — 1 case
Cent. States Indus. Supply, Inc. v. McCullough, 279 F. Supp. 2d 1005 (N.D. Iowa 2003). “Count III of the Complaint, denominated “Iowa Trade Secrets Act,” alleges that, in the course of his employment with CPI, McCullough had access to and became intimately familiar with CPI’s trade secrets, as defined by Iowa Code § 550.2 (4), and that McCullough’s taking of CPI’s…”
— Iowa Code § 550.2(3)(b) — 6 cases
Interbake Foods, L.L.C. v. Tomasiello, 461 F. Supp. 2d 943 (N.D. Iowa 2006). “In Economy Roofing, the Iowa Supreme Court reaffirmed its broad interpretation of the definition of “trade secret” under Iowa Code § 550.2 (4): In a recent case we gave a broad interpretation of “information” that could legally constitute “trade secrets”: Under the plain…”
Econ. Roofing & Insulating Co. v. Zumaris, 538 N.W.2d 641 (Iowa 1995). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). Iowa Code section 550.”
Uncle B's Bakery, Inc. v. O'ROURKE, 920 F. Supp. 1405 (N.D. Iowa 1996). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). Iowa Code section 550.”
Cent. States Indus. Supply, Inc. v. McCullough, 279 F. Supp. 2d 1005 (N.D. Iowa 2003). “Count III of the Complaint, denominated “Iowa Trade Secrets Act,” alleges that, in the course of his employment with CPI, McCullough had access to and became intimately familiar with CPI’s trade secrets, as defined by Iowa Code § 550.2 (4), and that McCullough’s taking of CPI’s…”
REG Seneca, LLC v. Harden, 938 F. Supp. 2d 852 (S.D. Iowa 2013).
— Iowa Code § 550.2(3)(d) — 1 case
Cent. States Indus. Supply, Inc. v. McCullough, 279 F. Supp. 2d 1005 (N.D. Iowa 2003). “Count III of the Complaint, denominated “Iowa Trade Secrets Act,” alleges that, in the course of his employment with CPI, McCullough had access to and became intimately familiar with CPI’s trade secrets, as defined by Iowa Code § 550.2 (4), and that McCullough’s taking of CPI’s…”
— Iowa Code § 550.2(4) — 25 cases
Interbake Foods, L.L.C. v. Tomasiello, 461 F. Supp. 2d 943 (N.D. Iowa 2006). “In Economy Roofing, the Iowa Supreme Court reaffirmed its broad interpretation of the definition of “trade secret” under Iowa Code § 550.2 (4): In a recent case we gave a broad interpretation of “information” that could legally constitute “trade secrets”: Under the plain…”
Econ. Roofing & Insulating Co. v. Zumaris, 538 N.W.2d 641 (Iowa 1995). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). Iowa Code section 550.”
Uncle B's Bakery, Inc. v. O'ROURKE, 920 F. Supp. 1405 (N.D. Iowa 1996). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). Iowa Code section 550.”
Cemen Tech, Inc. v. Three D Indus., L.L.C., 753 N.W.2d 1 (Iowa 2008). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). The Restatement (Third) of Unfair Competition (1995) [hereinafter Restatement] *7 is intended to be consistent with the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, such as our Code chapter 550, and we rely on it here.”
Iowa Film Prod. Servs. Mississippi Films, Inc. Polynation Pictures, Inc. Field of Screams, LLC Underground Films, Inc. Ticket Out Prods. Tricoast Iowa Prods., LLC Gpx Dev., LLC September Prods. LLC Lucky Mp, LLC & Recess Film Prod., LLC v. Iowa Dep't of Econ. Dev., 818 N.W.2d 207 (Iowa 2012). “(quoting Iowa Code § 550.2 (4)). The two elements—subsections (a) and (b) of section 550.”
— Iowa Code § 550.2(4)(1) — 1 case
Walker Mfg., Inc. v. Hoffmann, Inc., 261 F. Supp. 2d 1054 (N.D. Iowa 2003). “Definition of a “trade secret” Iowa Code § 550.2 (4) defines a trade secret as: [I]nformation, including but not limited to a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process that is both of the following: a.”
— Iowa Code § 550.2(4)(6) — 1 case
Iowa Film Prod. Servs. Mississippi Films, Inc. Polynation Pictures, Inc. Field of Screams, LLC Underground Films, Inc. Ticket Out Prods. Tricoast Iowa Prods., LLC Gpx Dev., LLC September Prods. LLC Lucky Mp, LLC & Recess Film Prod., LLC v. Iowa Dep't of Econ. Dev., 818 N.W.2d 207 (Iowa 2012). “(quoting Iowa Code § 550.2 (4)). The two elements—subsections (a) and (b) of section 550.”
— Iowa Code § 550.2(4)(a) — 10 cases
Interbake Foods, L.L.C. v. Tomasiello, 461 F. Supp. 2d 943 (N.D. Iowa 2006). “In Economy Roofing, the Iowa Supreme Court reaffirmed its broad interpretation of the definition of “trade secret” under Iowa Code § 550.2 (4): In a recent case we gave a broad interpretation of “information” that could legally constitute “trade secrets”: Under the plain…”
Uncle B's Bakery, Inc. v. O'ROURKE, 920 F. Supp. 1405 (N.D. Iowa 1996). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). Iowa Code section 550.”
Revere Transducers, Inc. v. Deere & Co., 595 N.W.2d 751 (Iowa 1999).
Olson v. Nieman's, Ltd., 579 N.W.2d 299 (Iowa 1998). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4) (emphasis added). Nieman argues that Olson’s device was generally known and readily ascertainable by proper means and was not economically valuable from not being generally known.”
US West Commc'ns, Inc. v. Off. of Consum. Advocate, 498 N.W.2d 711 (Iowa 1993). “However, all parties agree that the definition contained in the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, Iowa Code section 550.2(4) (Supp.1991), is controlling.”
— Iowa Code § 550.2(4)(b) — 6 cases
Interbake Foods, L.L.C. v. Tomasiello, 461 F. Supp. 2d 943 (N.D. Iowa 2006). “In Economy Roofing, the Iowa Supreme Court reaffirmed its broad interpretation of the definition of “trade secret” under Iowa Code § 550.2 (4): In a recent case we gave a broad interpretation of “information” that could legally constitute “trade secrets”: Under the plain…”
Uncle B's Bakery, Inc. v. O'ROURKE, 920 F. Supp. 1405 (N.D. Iowa 1996). “Iowa Code § 550.2 (4). Iowa Code section 550.”
Sysco Iowa, Inc. v. Univ. of Iowa, 889 N.W.2d 235 (Iowa Ct. App. 2016).
Brown v. Iowa Legislative Council, 490 N.W.2d 551 (Iowa 1992).
Clearly Compliant, L.L.C., plaintiff-appellant/cross-appellee v. Theresa M. Bornbach & Charity Resources, L.L.C., D/B/A Capstone Charity Resources, L.L.C., defendants-appellees/cross-appellants. (Iowa Ct. App. 2017).
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