Trade secret and ownership rules for internal tools

Name: Trade secret and ownership rules for internal tools
Creator: Sell Internal Tools to AI
Published: 2026-10-28
License: https://sellinternaltoolstoai.com/terms

14 rules on trade secrets and the ownership of software that decide whether a company may license its internal tools, each quoted from the statute or the authority page, read 28 October 2026.

14 rules Rules quoted from source across 14 texts, 28 Oct 2026

5 answers Which body of rules: rules split UK copyright law 4, US trade secret law 4, US copyright law 3, UK trade secret law 2, UK patent law 1

5 of 14 What the rule decides for a licence: what information or work is protected top answer out of 6

14 of 14 The rule in its own words: stated rules whose texts state it, with the quote below

14 Texts reviewed 16 named; each answer carries its date and a hash

Which body of rules

UK copyright law4 rules
US trade secret law4 rules
US copyright law3 rules
UK trade secret law2 rules
UK patent law1 rule

14 rules counted, one answer apiece.

Counts

Row	Value
UK copyright law	4 rules
US trade secret law	4 rules
US copyright law	3 rules
UK trade secret law	2 rules
UK patent law	1 rule

What the rule decides for a licence

what information or work is protected5 rules
the employer owns what an employee makes at work4 rules
what a court can order2 rules
what taking or using it wrongly means1 rule
the owner must keep it secret by reasonable measures1 rule
ownership moves only by a signed writing1 rule

14 rules counted, one answer apiece.

Counts

Row	Value
what information or work is protected	5 rules
the employer owns what an employee makes at work	4 rules
what a court can order	2 rules
what taking or using it wrongly means	1 rule
the owner must keep it secret by reasonable measures	1 rule
ownership moves only by a signed writing	1 rule

The rule in its own words

stated14 rules

14 rules counted, one answer apiece.

Counts

Row	Value
stated	14 rules

The full board, one rule per row

A rule per row. Every answer opens onto the line it comes from, quoted exactly, with the text it sits in and the day of the read. "Not stated" marks a question the text leaves unanswered.

Rule	Which body of rules	What the rule decides for a licence	The rule in its own words
Assignment in writing, UK	UK copyright law An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor. CDPA 1988 s90	ownership moves only by a signed writing An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor. CDPA 1988 s90	An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on… An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor. CDPA 1988 s90
Author of a computer-generated work, UK	UK copyright law In this Part “author”, in relation to a work, means the person who creates it. CDPA 1988 s9	what information or work is protected In the case of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work which is computer-generated, the author shall be taken to be the person by whom the arrangements necessary for the creation of the work are undertaken. CDPA 1988 s9	In the case of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work which is… In the case of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work which is computer-generated, the author shall be taken to be the person by whom the arrangements necessary for the creation of the work are undertaken. CDPA 1988 s9
Civil action for misappropriation, US	US trade secret law may bring a civil action under this subsection if the 18 U.S.C. 1836	what a court can order may bring a civil action under this subsection if the 18 U.S.C. 1836	may bring a civil action under this subsection if the may bring a civil action under this subsection if the 18 U.S.C. 1836
Computer programs are literary works, UK	UK copyright law Copyright does not subsist in a literary, dramatic or musical work unless and until it is recorded, in writing or otherwise; CDPA 1988 s3	what information or work is protected preparatory design material for a computer program CDPA 1988 s3	Copyright does not subsist in a literary, dramatic or musical work unless and until it is… Copyright does not subsist in a literary, dramatic or musical work unless and until it is recorded, in writing or otherwise; CDPA 1988 s3
Copyright excludes procedures and methods, US	US copyright law In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation 17 U.S.C. 102	what information or work is protected In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation 17 U.S.C. 102	In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any… In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation, concept, principle, or discovery 17 U.S.C. 102
Employee inventions, UK	UK patent law an invention made by an employee shall, as between him and his employer, be taken to belong to his employer for the purposes of this Act and all other purposes if Patents Act 1977 s39	the employer owns what an employee makes at work an invention made by an employee shall, as between him and his employer, be taken to belong to his employer for the purposes of this Act and all other purposes if Patents Act 1977 s39	it was made in the course of the normal duties of the employee or in the course of duties… it was made in the course of the normal duties of the employee or in the course of duties falling outside his normal duties, but specifically assigned to him Patents Act 1977 s39
Employer as author, US	US copyright law Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors of the work. 17 U.S.C. 201	the employer owns what an employee makes at work In the case of a work made for hire, the employer or other person for whom the work was prepared is considered the author for purposes of this title 17 U.S.C. 201	In the case of a work made for hire, the employer or other person for whom the work was… In the case of a work made for hire, the employer or other person for whom the work was prepared is considered the author for purposes of this title, and, unless the parties have expressly agreed otherwise in a written instrument signed by them, owns all of the rights comprised in the copyright. 17 U.S.C. 201
Employer first owner, UK	UK copyright law The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following provisions. CDPA 1988 s11	the employer owns what an employee makes at work is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer is the first owner of any copyright in the work subject to any agreement to the contrary. CDPA 1988 s11	is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer is the first owner… is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer is the first owner of any copyright in the work subject to any agreement to the contrary. CDPA 1988 s11
Trade secret, UK definition	UK trade secret law has commercial value because it is secret, and Trade Secrets Regulations 2018, reg 2	the owner must keep it secret by reasonable measures has been subject to reasonable steps under the circumstances, by the person lawfully in control of the information, to keep it secret; Trade Secrets Regulations 2018, reg 2	has been subject to reasonable steps under the circumstances, by the person lawfully in… has been subject to reasonable steps under the circumstances, by the person lawfully in control of the information, to keep it secret; Trade Secrets Regulations 2018, reg 2
Trade secret, US definition	US trade secret law all forms and types of financial, business, scientific, technical, economic, or engineering information 18 U.S.C. 1839	what information or work is protected the information derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to 18 U.S.C. 1839	thereof has taken reasonable measures to keep such information secret; thereof has taken reasonable measures to keep such information secret; 18 U.S.C. 1839
Trade secret, USPTO policy	US trade secret law Is information that has either actual or potential independent economic value by virtue of not being generally known USPTO trade secret policy	what information or work is protected Is information that has either actual or potential independent economic value by virtue of not being generally known USPTO trade secret policy	Is information that has either actual or potential independent economic value by virtue… Is information that has either actual or potential independent economic value by virtue of not being generally known USPTO trade secret policy
Unlawful acquisition, use or disclosure, UK	UK trade secret law The acquisition, use or disclosure of a trade secret is unlawful where the acquisition, use or disclosure constitutes a breach of confidence in confidential information. Trade Secrets Regulations 2018, reg 3	what taking or using it wrongly means The acquisition, use or disclosure of a trade secret is unlawful where the acquisition, use or disclosure constitutes a breach of confidence in confidential information. Trade Secrets Regulations 2018, reg 3	The acquisition, use or disclosure of a trade secret is unlawful where the acquisition… The acquisition, use or disclosure of a trade secret is unlawful where the acquisition, use or disclosure constitutes a breach of confidence in confidential information. Trade Secrets Regulations 2018, reg 3
Whistleblower immunity notice, US	US trade secret law An employer shall provide notice of the immunity set forth in this subsection in any contract or agreement with an employee that governs the use of a trade secret or other confidential information. 18 U.S.C. 1833	what a court can order If an employer does not comply with the notice requirement in subparagraph (A), the employer may not be awarded exemplary damages or attorney fees 18 U.S.C. 1833	An employer shall provide notice of the immunity set forth in this subsection in any… An employer shall provide notice of the immunity set forth in this subsection in any contract or agreement with an employee that governs the use of a trade secret or other confidential information. 18 U.S.C. 1833
Work made for hire, US definition	US copyright law a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment 17 U.S.C. 101	the employer owns what an employee makes at work a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment 17 U.S.C. 101	a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment 17 U.S.C. 101

Each answer in its source's own words (42 quotes)

Assignment in writing, UK, CDPA 1988 s90, read 2026-10-08, Which body of rules: An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor.
Assignment in writing, UK, CDPA 1988 s90, read 2026-10-08, What the rule decides for a licence: An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor.
Assignment in writing, UK, CDPA 1988 s90, read 2026-10-08, The rule in its own words: An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor.
Author of a computer-generated work, UK, CDPA 1988 s9, read 2026-10-08, Which body of rules: In this Part “author”, in relation to a work, means the person who creates it.
Author of a computer-generated work, UK, CDPA 1988 s9, read 2026-10-08, What the rule decides for a licence: In the case of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work which is computer-generated, the author shall be taken to be the person by whom the arrangements necessary for the creation of the work are undertaken.
Author of a computer-generated work, UK, CDPA 1988 s9, read 2026-10-08, The rule in its own words: In the case of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work which is computer-generated, the author shall be taken to be the person by whom the arrangements necessary for the creation of the work are undertaken.
Civil action for misappropriation, US, 18 U.S.C. 1836, read 2026-10-08, Which body of rules: may bring a civil action under this subsection if the
Civil action for misappropriation, US, 18 U.S.C. 1836, read 2026-10-08, What the rule decides for a licence: may bring a civil action under this subsection if the
Civil action for misappropriation, US, 18 U.S.C. 1836, read 2026-10-08, The rule in its own words: may bring a civil action under this subsection if the
Computer programs are literary works, UK, CDPA 1988 s3, read 2026-10-28, Which body of rules: Copyright does not subsist in a literary, dramatic or musical work unless and until it is recorded, in writing or otherwise;
Computer programs are literary works, UK, CDPA 1988 s3, read 2026-10-28, What the rule decides for a licence: preparatory design material for a computer program
Computer programs are literary works, UK, CDPA 1988 s3, read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words: Copyright does not subsist in a literary, dramatic or musical work unless and until it is recorded, in writing or otherwise;
Copyright excludes procedures and methods, US, 17 U.S.C. 102, read 2026-10-27, Which body of rules: In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation
Copyright excludes procedures and methods, US, 17 U.S.C. 102, read 2026-10-27, What the rule decides for a licence: In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation
Copyright excludes procedures and methods, US, 17 U.S.C. 102, read 2026-10-27, The rule in its own words: In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation, concept, principle, or discovery
Employee inventions, UK, Patents Act 1977 s39, read 2026-10-28, Which body of rules: an invention made by an employee shall, as between him and his employer, be taken to belong to his employer for the purposes of this Act and all other purposes if
Employee inventions, UK, Patents Act 1977 s39, read 2026-10-28, What the rule decides for a licence: an invention made by an employee shall, as between him and his employer, be taken to belong to his employer for the purposes of this Act and all other purposes if
Employee inventions, UK, Patents Act 1977 s39, read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words: it was made in the course of the normal duties of the employee or in the course of duties falling outside his normal duties, but specifically assigned to him
Employer as author, US, 17 U.S.C. 201, read 2026-10-08, Which body of rules: Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors of the work.
Employer as author, US, 17 U.S.C. 201, read 2026-10-08, What the rule decides for a licence: In the case of a work made for hire, the employer or other person for whom the work was prepared is considered the author for purposes of this title
Employer as author, US, 17 U.S.C. 201, read 2026-10-08, The rule in its own words: In the case of a work made for hire, the employer or other person for whom the work was prepared is considered the author for purposes of this title, and, unless the parties have expressly agreed otherwise in a written instrument signed by them, owns all of the rights comprised in the copyright.
Employer first owner, UK, CDPA 1988 s11, read 2026-10-08, Which body of rules: The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following provisions.
Employer first owner, UK, CDPA 1988 s11, read 2026-10-08, What the rule decides for a licence: is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer is the first owner of any copyright in the work subject to any agreement to the contrary.
Employer first owner, UK, CDPA 1988 s11, read 2026-10-08, The rule in its own words: is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer is the first owner of any copyright in the work subject to any agreement to the contrary.
Trade secret, UK definition, Trade Secrets Regulations 2018, reg 2, read 2026-10-27, Which body of rules: has commercial value because it is secret, and
Trade secret, UK definition, Trade Secrets Regulations 2018, reg 2, read 2026-10-27, What the rule decides for a licence: has been subject to reasonable steps under the circumstances, by the person lawfully in control of the information, to keep it secret;
Trade secret, UK definition, Trade Secrets Regulations 2018, reg 2, read 2026-10-27, The rule in its own words: has been subject to reasonable steps under the circumstances, by the person lawfully in control of the information, to keep it secret;
Trade secret, US definition, 18 U.S.C. 1839, read 2026-10-08, Which body of rules: all forms and types of financial, business, scientific, technical, economic, or engineering information
Trade secret, US definition, 18 U.S.C. 1839, read 2026-10-08, What the rule decides for a licence: the information derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to
Trade secret, US definition, 18 U.S.C. 1839, read 2026-10-08, The rule in its own words: thereof has taken reasonable measures to keep such information secret;
Trade secret, USPTO policy, USPTO trade secret policy, read 2026-10-28, Which body of rules: Is information that has either actual or potential independent economic value by virtue of not being generally known
Trade secret, USPTO policy, USPTO trade secret policy, read 2026-10-28, What the rule decides for a licence: Is information that has either actual or potential independent economic value by virtue of not being generally known
Trade secret, USPTO policy, USPTO trade secret policy, read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words: Is information that has either actual or potential independent economic value by virtue of not being generally known
Unlawful acquisition, use or disclosure, UK, Trade Secrets Regulations 2018, reg 3, read 2026-10-08, Which body of rules: The acquisition, use or disclosure of a trade secret is unlawful where the acquisition, use or disclosure constitutes a breach of confidence in confidential information.
Unlawful acquisition, use or disclosure, UK, Trade Secrets Regulations 2018, reg 3, read 2026-10-08, What the rule decides for a licence: The acquisition, use or disclosure of a trade secret is unlawful where the acquisition, use or disclosure constitutes a breach of confidence in confidential information.
Unlawful acquisition, use or disclosure, UK, Trade Secrets Regulations 2018, reg 3, read 2026-10-08, The rule in its own words: The acquisition, use or disclosure of a trade secret is unlawful where the acquisition, use or disclosure constitutes a breach of confidence in confidential information.
Whistleblower immunity notice, US, 18 U.S.C. 1833, read 2026-10-28, Which body of rules: An employer shall provide notice of the immunity set forth in this subsection in any contract or agreement with an employee that governs the use of a trade secret or other confidential information.
Whistleblower immunity notice, US, 18 U.S.C. 1833, read 2026-10-28, What the rule decides for a licence: If an employer does not comply with the notice requirement in subparagraph (A), the employer may not be awarded exemplary damages or attorney fees
Whistleblower immunity notice, US, 18 U.S.C. 1833, read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words: An employer shall provide notice of the immunity set forth in this subsection in any contract or agreement with an employee that governs the use of a trade secret or other confidential information.
Work made for hire, US definition, 17 U.S.C. 101, read 2026-10-03, Which body of rules: a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment
Work made for hire, US definition, 17 U.S.C. 101, read 2026-10-03, What the rule decides for a licence: a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment
Work made for hire, US definition, 17 U.S.C. 101, read 2026-10-03, The rule in its own words: a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment

Not counted on this board

We read 2 named documents that turned out not to be what this board asks about; why is given for each below. They count toward the reading, not the answers.

legislation.gov.uk: the regulations' contents page, which lists the provisions read as their own sources
Uniform Law Commission: the Uniform Law Commission committee page read at 1,040 characters carries no text of the Act

The method in full

Each rule's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software were read through estate-fetch and stored whole (sha256 on every row).

For every text, three questions were answered from its own words: which body of rules, what the rule decides for a licence, the rule in its own words.

Every stated answer carries the sentence it rests on, checked against the stored text; 'not stated' means the text read does not address the question.

A rule with several texts reads 'varies' where they disagree.

14 rules, 14 texts.

The 16 pages we read

Cornell LII, U.S. Code (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
Cornell LII, U.S. Code (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
Cornell LII, U.S. Code (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
Cornell LII, U.S. Code (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
Cornell LII, U.S. Code (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
legislation.gov.uk (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
legislation.gov.uk (read, set aside)
legislation.gov.uk (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
legislation.gov.uk (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
legislation.gov.uk (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
USPTO (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
Cornell LII, U.S. Code (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
legislation.gov.uk (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
legislation.gov.uk (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
legislation.gov.uk (quoted for comment from the publisher's own statute texts and official guidance on trade secrets and the ownership of software)
Uniform Law Commission (read, set aside)

Use this figure

14 rules on trade secrets and the ownership of software that decide whether a company may license its internal tools, each quoted from the statute or the authority page, read 28 October 2026.

Which body of rules, by rule: UK copyright law 4 of 14, US trade secret law 4 of 14, US copyright law 3 of 14, UK trade secret law 2 of 14, UK patent law 1 of 14 (14 rules, read 28 October 2026).

What the rule decides for a licence, by rule: what information or work is protected 5 of 14, the employer owns what an employee makes at work 4 of 14, what a court can order 2 of 14, what taking or using it wrongly means 1 of 14, the owner must keep it secret by reasonable measures 1 of 14, ownership moves only by a signed writing 1 of 14 (14 rules, read 28 October 2026).

The rule in its own words, by rule: stated 14 of 14 (14 rules, read 28 October 2026).

Reference: "Trade secret and ownership rules for internal tools", updated 2026-10-28, https://sellinternaltoolstoai.com/datasets/internal-tool-trade-secret-law/.

An embed for your site, with no scripts

14 rules on trade secrets and the ownership of software that decide whether a company may license its internal tools, each quoted from the statute or the authority page, read 28 October 2026.

Trade secret and ownership rules for internal tools, sellinternaltoolstoai.com

<figure style="margin:0;padding:16px;border:1px solid #d0d0d0;background:#ffffff"><blockquote style="margin:0 0 8px;background:#ffffff">14 rules on trade secrets and the ownership of software that decide whether a company may license its internal tools, each quoted from the statute or the authority page, read 28 October 2026.</blockquote><figcaption style="background:#ffffff"><a href="https://sellinternaltoolstoai.com/datasets/internal-tool-trade-secret-law/" style="background:#ffffff">Trade secret and ownership rules for internal tools, sellinternaltoolstoai.com</a></figcaption></figure>

Also as data: JSON, CSV, Markdown.

The data as a CSV (42 answers; derived 2026-10-28)