Iowa Code » Chapter 550 — TRADE SECRETS
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 550.4 (2026)

Damages

✓ current as of July 2026
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1. Except to the extent that a material and prejudicial change of a person’s position occurs prior to acquiring knowledge of a misappropriation and renders a monetary recovery inequitable, an owner of a trade secret is entitled to recover damages for the misappropriation. Damages may include the actual loss caused by the misappropriation, and the unjust enrichment caused by the misappropriation which is not taken into account in computing the actual loss. In lieu of damages measured by any other methods, the damages caused by misappropriation may be measured by imposition of liability for a reasonable royalty for a person’s unauthorized disclosure or use of a trade secret.

2. If a person commits a willful and malicious misappropriation, the court may award exemplary damages in an amount not exceeding twice the award made under subsection 1. 90 Acts, ch 1201, §4 \n

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1994–2024 · leading case: NCMIC Fin. Corp. v. Artino, 638 F. Supp. 2d 1042 (S.D. Iowa 2009).
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NCMIC Fin. Corp. v. Artino, 638 F. Supp. 2d 1042 (S.D. Iowa 2009). · cites it 6× “” Iowa Code § 550.4 (1). “If a person commits a willful and malicious misappropriation, the court may award exemplary damages in an amount not exceeding twice the award made under subsection 1.”
Olson v. Nieman's, Ltd., 579 N.W.2d 299 (Iowa 1998). · cites it 5× “” Iowa Code § 550.4 (1) (emphasis added). Determining a reasonable royalty is analogous to a jury’s determination of a proper amount of damages for pain and suffering in a personal injury suit.”
Wachovia Sec., L.L.C. v. Stanton, 571 F. Supp. 2d 1014 (N.D. Iowa 2008). · cites it 3× “2d 548, 550 (Iowa 1994) (noting that sections 550.4 and 550.5 provide for damages or injunctions as recourse for misappropriation of trade secrets, respectively, and also quoting the statute’s definition of trade secrets in 550.”
Interbake Foods, L.L.C. v. Tomasiello, 461 F. Supp. 2d 943 (N.D. Iowa 2006). · cites it 3× “2(4)); 7 see also Pioneer Hi-Bred Int’l v. Holden Found.”
205 CORP. v. Brandow, 517 N.W.2d 548 (Iowa 1994). · cites it 4× “Iowa Code § 550.4 . This provision also allows the court to enjoin the further use of the trade secret.”
Uncle B's Bakery, Inc. v. O'ROURKE, 920 F. Supp. 1405 (N.D. Iowa 1996). · cites it 3× “2d 548, 550 (Iowa 1994) (Sections 550.4 and 550.5 provide for damages or injunctions misappropriation of trade secrets, respectively, and also quoting the statute’s definition of trade secrets in 550.”
Econ. Roofing & Insulating Co. v. Zumaris, 538 N.W.2d 641 (Iowa 1995). · cites it 2× “” Iowa Code section 550.4(1) provides that “an owner of a trade secret is entitled to recover damages for the misappropriation.”
Walker Mfg., Inc. v. Hoffmann, Inc., 261 F. Supp. 2d 1054 (N.D. Iowa 2003). · cites it 3× “” Specifically, Walker contends that Iowa Code § 550.4 provides for a “reasonable royalty” method of determining damages, that such a method is based on a “hypothetical bargain” between a willing licensor and a willing licensee, and that such a method is appropriate in cases…”
Cent. States Indus. Supply, Inc. v. McCullough, 218 F. Supp. 2d 1073 (N.D. Iowa 2002). · cites it 2× “See Iowa Code § 550.4 (2) ("If a person commits a willful and malicious misappropriation, the court may award exemplary damages .”
Sun Media Sys., Inc. v. KDSM, LLC, 564 F. Supp. 2d 946 (S.D. Iowa 2008). · cites it 2× “See Iowa Code § 550.4 ; Defs.’ Br. at 17. In response to Defendants’ first set of interrogatories, asking Sun Media to “[djescribe in detail all trade secrets belonging to Sun Media that you allege were disclosed to the Defendants,” Sun Media responded: Sun Media objects to this…”
S & W Agency, Inc. v. Foremost Ins., 51 F. Supp. 2d 983 (N.D. Iowa 1998). · cites it 4× “” Iowa Code Ann. § 550.4 (2) (West 1997). The decision whether to award exemplary damages is an issue left up to the discretion of the court.”
Seneca Companies v. Becker, 134 F. Supp. 3d 1148 (S.D. Iowa 2015). · cites it 2× “; Iowa Code § 550.4 . The Iowa Supreme Court has held that “information may also fall within the definition of a trade secret, including such matters as maintenance of data on customer lists and needs, source of supplies, confidential costs, price data and figures.”
Show all 17 citing cases →
Iowa Code § 550.4(1): 6 cases
Wachovia Sec., L.L.C. v. Stanton, 571 F. Supp. 2d 1014 (N.D. Iowa 2008). “2d 548, 550 (Iowa 1994) (noting that sections 550.4 and 550.5 provide for damages or injunctions as recourse for misappropriation of trade secrets, respectively, and also quoting the statute’s definition of trade secrets in 550.”
Interbake Foods, L.L.C. v. Tomasiello, 461 F. Supp. 2d 943 (N.D. Iowa 2006). “2(4)); 7 see also Pioneer Hi-Bred Int’l v. Holden Found.”
Econ. Roofing & Insulating Co. v. Zumaris, 538 N.W.2d 641 (Iowa 1995). “” Iowa Code section 550.4(1) provides that “an owner of a trade secret is entitled to recover damages for the misappropriation.”
Uncle B's Bakery, Inc. v. O'ROURKE, 920 F. Supp. 1405 (N.D. Iowa 1996). “2d 548, 550 (Iowa 1994) (Sections 550.4 and 550.5 provide for damages or injunctions misappropriation of trade secrets, respectively, and also quoting the statute’s definition of trade secrets in 550.”
NCMIC Fin. Corp. v. Artino, 638 F. Supp. 2d 1042 (S.D. Iowa 2009). “” Iowa Code § 550.4 (1). “If a person commits a willful and malicious misappropriation, the court may award exemplary damages in an amount not exceeding twice the award made under subsection 1.”
Iowa Code § 550.4(2): 4 cases
205 CORP. v. Brandow, 517 N.W.2d 548 (Iowa 1994). “Iowa Code § 550.4 . This provision also allows the court to enjoin the further use of the trade secret.”
NCMIC Fin. Corp. v. Artino, 638 F. Supp. 2d 1042 (S.D. Iowa 2009). “” Iowa Code § 550.4 (1). “If a person commits a willful and malicious misappropriation, the court may award exemplary damages in an amount not exceeding twice the award made under subsection 1.”
Olson v. Nieman's, Ltd., 579 N.W.2d 299 (Iowa 1998). “” Iowa Code § 550.4 (1) (emphasis added). Determining a reasonable royalty is analogous to a jury’s determination of a proper amount of damages for pain and suffering in a personal injury suit.”
S & W Agency, Inc. v. Foremost Ins., 51 F. Supp. 2d 983 (N.D. Iowa 1998). “” Iowa Code Ann. § 550.4 (2) (West 1997). The decision whether to award exemplary damages is an issue left up to the discretion of the court.”
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