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NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152 (2026)

Definitions

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

(1) "Misappropriation" means acquisition, disclosure, or use of a trade secret of another without express or implied authority or consent, unless such trade secret was arrived at by independent development, reverse engineering, or was obtained from another person with a right to disclose the trade secret.

(2) "Person" means an individual, corporation, government, governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, joint venture, or any other  legal or commercial entity.

(3) "Trade secret" means business or technical information, including but not limited to a formula, pattern, program, device, compilation of information, method, technique, or process that:

a. Derives independent actual or potential commercial value from not being generally known or readily ascertainable through independent development or reverse engineering by persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and

b. Is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

The existence of a trade secret shall not be negated merely because the information comprising the trade secret has also been developed, used, or owned independently by more than one person, or licensed to other persons. (1981, c. 890, s. 1.)

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 215 cases (63 in the last 5 years), 1984–2026 · leading case: Krawiec v. Manly, 811 S.E.2d 542 (N.C. 2018).
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Krawiec v. Manly, 811 S.E.2d 542 (N.C. 2018). · cites it 34× “§ 66-152(1) (2017). A trade secret consists of business or technical information, including but not limited to a formula, pattern, program, device, compilation of information, method, technique, or process that: a.”
Ge Betz, Inc. v. Conrad, 752 S.E.2d 634 (N.C. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 16× “Derives independent actual or potential commercial value from not being generally known or readily ascertainable through independent development or reverse engineering by persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and b.”
Wells Fargo Ins. Servs. United States, Inc. v. Link, 827 S.E.2d 458 (N.C. 2019). · cites it 7× “General Statute § 66-152 et seq., (hereinafter "G.S.") (Count Five); tortious interference with contractual relations (Count Seven); and unfair and deceptive trade practices (Count Eight).”
Area Landscaping, L.L.C. v. Glaxo-Wellcome, Inc., 586 S.E.2d 507 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 14× “These allegations give rise to three causes of action by Area: (1) a claim under G.S. § 66-152 et seq., the Trade Secrets Protection Act; (2) a claim under G.”
Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. v. Head & Engquist Equip., L.L.C., 620 S.E.2d 222 (N.C. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 11× “Defendants raise four issues on appeal: whether the trial court erred in (I) concluding plaintiff’s compilation of business information constitutes a trade secret under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152 (N.C. Trade Secrets Protection Act) and that defendants misappropriated trade…”
Byrd's Lawn & Landscaping, Inc. v. Smith, 542 S.E.2d 689 (N.C. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 8× “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152 (3) (emphasis added).”
Wilmington Star-News, Inc. v. New Hanover Reg'l Med. Ctr., Inc., 480 S.E.2d 53 (N.C. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 9× “PHP’s Appeal This case of first impression presents the issue of whether price lists in a contract between a public hospital and a private HMO are trade secrets as defined by G.S. 66-152 and not subject to disclosure imder the North Carolina Public Records Act pursuant to G.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Com'n v. MCI Telecomm. Corp., 514 S.E.2d 276 (N.C. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 13× “1998); (2) information (a) constituting a trade secret as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152 (3), (b) the property of a private person as defined in N.”
Philips Elec. North Am. Corp. v. Hope, 631 F. Supp. 2d 705 (M.D.N.C. 2009). · cites it 8× “After cease and desist demands went unheeded, Philips filed a Verified Complaint with this court on May 19, 2009, asserting claims for (1) breach of the Non-Competition Agreement, (2) violation of the North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, N.”
North Carolina Elec. Membership Corp. v. North Carolina Dep't of Econ. & Cmty. Dev., 425 S.E.2d 440 (N.C. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 15× “N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 66-152 — 66-162 (1992).”
Novacare Orthotics & Prosthetics East, Inc. v. Speelman, 528 S.E.2d 918 (N.C. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 8× “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152 (1),(3) (1999). Plaintiff contends that its “customer lists and other compilations of customer data” are protected under section 66-152.”
Glaxo Inc. v. Novopharm Ltd., 931 F. Supp. 1280 (E.D.N.C. 1996). · cites it 10× “Thus, Glaxo’s first two claims for relief are for infringement of the ’431 and ’133 patents, respectively, while the third claim for relief is grounded upon North Carolina’s Trade Secrets Protection Act, N.C.Gen.Stat. §§ 66-152 et seq. and a theory of contempt.”
Show all 215 citing cases →
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152(1) — 53 cases
Wells Fargo Ins. Servs. United States, Inc. v. Link, 827 S.E.2d 458 (N.C. 2019). “General Statute § 66-152 et seq., (hereinafter "G.S.") (Count Five); tortious interference with contractual relations (Count Seven); and unfair and deceptive trade practices (Count Eight).”
Krawiec v. Manly, 811 S.E.2d 542 (N.C. 2018). “§ 66-152(1) (2017). A trade secret consists of business or technical information, including but not limited to a formula, pattern, program, device, compilation of information, method, technique, or process that: a.”
Area Landscaping, L.L.C. v. Glaxo-Wellcome, Inc., 586 S.E.2d 507 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003). “These allegations give rise to three causes of action by Area: (1) a claim under G.S. § 66-152 et seq., the Trade Secrets Protection Act; (2) a claim under G.”
Merck & Co. Inc. v. Lyon, 941 F. Supp. 1443 (M.D.N.C. 1996).
Tasz, Inc. v. Indus. Thermo Polymers, Ltd., 80 F. Supp. 3d 671 (W.D.N.C. 2015).
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152(2) — 6 cases
Carter-Hubbard Publ'g Co. v. WRMC Hosp. Operating Corp., 633 S.E.2d 682 (N.C. Ct. App. 2006).
Wilmington Star-News, Inc. v. New Hanover Reg'l Med. Ctr., Inc., 480 S.E.2d 53 (N.C. Ct. App. 1997). “PHP’s Appeal This case of first impression presents the issue of whether price lists in a contract between a public hospital and a private HMO are trade secrets as defined by G.S. 66-152 and not subject to disclosure imder the North Carolina Public Records Act pursuant to G.”
North Carolina Elec. Membership Corp. v. North Carolina Dep't of Econ. & Cmty. Dev., 425 S.E.2d 440 (N.C. Ct. App. 1993). “N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 66-152 — 66-162 (1992).”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Com'n v. MCI Telecomm. Corp., 514 S.E.2d 276 (N.C. Ct. App. 1999). “1998); (2) information (a) constituting a trade secret as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152 (3), (b) the property of a private person as defined in N.”
Eidogen-Sertanty, Inc. v. Univ. of N.C., 2018 NCBC 127 (N.C. Bus. Ct. 2018).
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152(3) — 81 cases
Krawiec v. Manly, 811 S.E.2d 542 (N.C. 2018). “§ 66-152(1) (2017). A trade secret consists of business or technical information, including but not limited to a formula, pattern, program, device, compilation of information, method, technique, or process that: a.”
Area Landscaping, L.L.C. v. Glaxo-Wellcome, Inc., 586 S.E.2d 507 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003). “These allegations give rise to three causes of action by Area: (1) a claim under G.S. § 66-152 et seq., the Trade Secrets Protection Act; (2) a claim under G.”
Philips Elec. North Am. Corp. v. Hope, 631 F. Supp. 2d 705 (M.D.N.C. 2009). “After cease and desist demands went unheeded, Philips filed a Verified Complaint with this court on May 19, 2009, asserting claims for (1) breach of the Non-Competition Agreement, (2) violation of the North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, N.”
Wells Fargo Ins. Servs. United States, Inc. v. Link, 827 S.E.2d 458 (N.C. 2019). “General Statute § 66-152 et seq., (hereinafter "G.S.") (Count Five); tortious interference with contractual relations (Count Seven); and unfair and deceptive trade practices (Count Eight).”
Wilmington Star-News, Inc. v. New Hanover Reg'l Med. Ctr., Inc., 480 S.E.2d 53 (N.C. Ct. App. 1997). “PHP’s Appeal This case of first impression presents the issue of whether price lists in a contract between a public hospital and a private HMO are trade secrets as defined by G.S. 66-152 and not subject to disclosure imder the North Carolina Public Records Act pursuant to G.”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152(3)(a) — 9 cases
Krawiec v. Manly, 811 S.E.2d 542 (N.C. 2018). “§ 66-152(1) (2017). A trade secret consists of business or technical information, including but not limited to a formula, pattern, program, device, compilation of information, method, technique, or process that: a.”
Glaxo Inc. v. Novopharm Ltd., 931 F. Supp. 1280 (E.D.N.C. 1996). “Thus, Glaxo’s first two claims for relief are for infringement of the ’431 and ’133 patents, respectively, while the third claim for relief is grounded upon North Carolina’s Trade Secrets Protection Act, N.C.Gen.Stat. §§ 66-152 et seq. and a theory of contempt.”
FMC Corp. v. Cyprus Foote Mineral Co., 899 F. Supp. 1477 (W.D.N.C. 1995).
Comput. Design & Integration, LLC v. Brown, 2018 NCBC 128 (N.C. Bus. Ct. 2018).
Aym Techs., LLC v. Rodgers, 2019 NCBC 63 (N.C. Bus. Ct. 2019).
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152(3)(b) — 9 cases
Krawiec v. Manly, 811 S.E.2d 542 (N.C. 2018). “§ 66-152(1) (2017). A trade secret consists of business or technical information, including but not limited to a formula, pattern, program, device, compilation of information, method, technique, or process that: a.”
Glaxo Inc. v. Novopharm Ltd., 931 F. Supp. 1280 (E.D.N.C. 1996). “Thus, Glaxo’s first two claims for relief are for infringement of the ’431 and ’133 patents, respectively, while the third claim for relief is grounded upon North Carolina’s Trade Secrets Protection Act, N.C.Gen.Stat. §§ 66-152 et seq. and a theory of contempt.”
RLM Commc'ns, Inc. v. Tuschen, 66 F. Supp. 3d 681 (E.D.N.C. 2014).
Aym Techs., LLC v. Rodgers, 2019 NCBC 63 (N.C. Bus. Ct. 2019).
Pdf Elec. & Supply Co. v. Jacobsen, 2020 NCBC 64 (N.C. Bus. Ct. 2020).
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152(l) — 1 case
Cook Grp. Inc. v. Wilson (In Re Wilson), 248 B.R. 745 (M.D.N.C. 2000).
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