Legal Action for Stolen Ideas, Trade Secrets, or Business Property
When someone takes what doesn’t belong to them — whether it’s your confidential information, intellectual property, likeness, or labor — Texas law provides legal tools to fight back. At Williford Law, we represent businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals in [City] and across Texas in misappropriation cases involving trade secrets, likeness rights, confidential data, and proprietary assets.
Whether you’re protecting your brand, your business, or your creative work, we can help you pursue accountability and compensation.
What Is Misappropriation Under Texas Law?
Misappropriation occurs when someone wrongfully uses or takes something valuable, often intellectual, confidential, or proprietary, without permission. Texas recognizes multiple forms of misappropriation, including:
- Misappropriation of Trade Secrets
Protected under the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act (TUTSA), this includes theft or misuse of formulas, client lists, software, pricing data, or proprietary business processes. - Misappropriation of Name or Likeness
When someone uses your image, voice, or identity for commercial gain without your consent, often actionable under Texas common law or the right of publicity. - Misappropriation of Labor or Skill
Occurs when someone wrongfully takes credit for or uses another’s labor, ideas, or content, particularly common in creative, marketing, or startup industries.
In all of these situations, the law focuses on unauthorized use, competitive harm, and the need for restitution or injunction.
Examples of Misappropriation Cases We Handle
| Type of Misappropriation | Examples |
| Trade Secrets | Vendor uses your business plan or data after the NDA expires |
| Confidential Information | Vendor uses your business plan or data after NDA expires |
| Name or Likeness | Business uses someone’s photo or voice in marketing without permission |
| Content or Design Theft | Former employee steals client list or pricing model to start a competing company |
| Investment or Startup Misuse | Co-founder misuses IP, software, or investor pitch for personal gain |
Whether the theft occurred digitally, verbally, or in writing, we will analyze the facts and determine the best path forward.
Remedies for Misappropriation in Texas
Victims of misappropriation may be entitled to the following remedies under Texas law:
- Injunctive Relief – Immediate court order to stop the use or distribution of stolen property or information
- Actual Damages – Compensation for lost revenue or diminished business value
- Unjust Enrichment or Disgorgement – Recovery of profits gained through wrongful use
- Exemplary (Punitive) Damages – For willful and malicious conduct
- Attorney’s Fees – Available under TUTSA in certain cases
We’ll assess whether your case supports emergency action (like a temporary restraining order) and build a strategic claim tailored to your business goals.
Why Williford Law?
- Experienced in intellectual property, commercial litigation, and unfair competition
- Strategic and fast-moving — ideal for urgent injunctions and protective orders
- Clear communication, honest case evaluations, and evidence-driven legal arguments
- Focused on real-world results, including compensation and enforcement of rights
We help clients not only recover what was stolen but also prevent future harm from competitors, contractors, or insiders who act in bad faith.
