Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

12 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5304 (2026)

  Damages.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 5304.  Damages.

(a)  Monetary damages.--Except to the extent that a material and prejudicial change of position prior to acquiring knowledge or reason to know of misappropriation renders a monetary recovery inequitable, a complainant is entitled to recover damages for misappropriation. Damages can include both the actual loss caused by misappropriation and the unjust enrichment caused by misappropriation that is not taken into account in computing 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 misappropriator's unauthorized disclosure or use of a trade secret.

(b)  Exemplary damages.--If willful and malicious misappropriation exists, the court may award exemplary damages in an amount not exceeding twice any award made under subsection (a).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases (6 in the last 5 years), 2009–2026 · leading case: PPG Indus. Inc v. Jiangsu Tie Mao Glass Co Ltd, 47 F.4th 156 (3rd Cir. 2022).
PPG Indus. Inc v. Jiangsu Tie Mao Glass Co Ltd, 47 F.4th 156 (3rd Cir. 2022). · cites it 3× “It asked for a permanent injunction; exemplary damages for TMG’s “willful and malicious” misappropriation, 12 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5304 (b); and attorneys’ fees.”
Syntel Sterling Best Shores Mauritius, Ltd. v. the TriZetto Grp., 68 F.4th 792 (2d Cir. 2023). “They denied summary judgment on/affirmed avoided costs awards based solely on the defendant’s cost savings, despite no corresponding harm to the trade 35 M.”
Bro-Tech Corp. v. Thermax, Inc., 651 F. Supp. 2d 378 (E.D. Pa. 2009). “” 12 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 5304(a). 242 . The issue is contested in Thermax’s co-pending Motion to suppress the expert testimony of Purolite’s damages expert.”
Alpha Pro Tech, Inc. v. VWR Int'l LLC, 984 F. Supp. 2d 425 (E.D. Pa. 2013). “See 12 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 5304 (“Damages can include both the actual loss caused by misappropriation and the unjust enrichment caused by misappropriation that is not taken into account in computing actual loss.”
Ppg Indus., Inc. v. Jiangsu Tie Mao Glass Co., Ltd. (W.D. Pa. 2020). · cites it 4× “” 12 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5304 (a). The use of the conjunction “and” in the PUTSA damages provision gives courts a degree of flexibility in determining damages— both actual loss by the plaintiff and unjust enrichment by the defendant can be included in the damages figure, so long…”
Peter Accurso v. Infra-Red Servs. Inc (3rd Cir. 2020). “” 12 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5304 (b) (emphasis added).”
Peter Accurso v. Infra-Red Servs. Inc (3rd Cir. 2020). “” 12 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5304 (b) (emphasis added).”
Hirtle Callaghan Holdings Inc. v. Thompson (E.D. Pa. 2021). “12 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 5304. Here, Defendants’ tax returns are part of Defendants’ full financial picture.”
Ppg Indus., Inc. v. Jiangsu Tie Mao Glass Co., Ltd. (W.D. Pa. 2021). “12 Pa. C.S. §§ 5304, 5305. The 25 Court concluded in its previous Opinion that an award of exemplary damages was appropriate under 12 Pa.”
Harbor Bus. Compliance Corp. v. Firstbase.io, Inc. (E.D. Pa. 2025). “(quoting 12 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5304 (b)). However, a willful and malicious misappropriation alone does not necessarily mean that the prevailing party is entitled to exemplary damages.”
TCS Black Label v. Serhant Pennsylvania, 2026 Pa. Super. 17 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2026). “” 12 Pa.C.S. § 5304(a). Nevertheless, “one cannot be held liable for damages for misappropriation of a trade secret without proof of actual harm through past use or disclosure[.”
— 12 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5304(a) — 3 cases
Syntel Sterling Best Shores Mauritius, Ltd. v. the TriZetto Grp., 68 F.4th 792 (2d Cir. 2023). “They denied summary judgment on/affirmed avoided costs awards based solely on the defendant’s cost savings, despite no corresponding harm to the trade 35 M.”
Bro-Tech Corp. v. Thermax, Inc., 651 F. Supp. 2d 378 (E.D. Pa. 2009). “” 12 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 5304(a). 242 . The issue is contested in Thermax’s co-pending Motion to suppress the expert testimony of Purolite’s damages expert.”
TCS Black Label v. Serhant Pennsylvania, 2026 Pa. Super. 17 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2026). “” 12 Pa.C.S. § 5304(a). Nevertheless, “one cannot be held liable for damages for misappropriation of a trade secret without proof of actual harm through past use or disclosure[.”
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