Question

Why should academic institutions be concerned about economic espionage/theft of trade secrets??

Answer 1

When an economic benefit is availed for sharing the information pertaining to the running of a Business or an Institution, with that of the competitors or others with a willful misappropriation, then there is a concern of theft of trade secrets. Today, even Academic institutions have unfortunately, become a medium to undertake business on the pretext of a benevolent act of ‘Education’. There are various ways to earn the income on the part of the students. Even on black and white, the academic fees are so hiked that the students are bound to pay the same in order to avail the admissions to such institutions. Moreover, if the students do not resort to the normal route, then other ways of seeking possible admissions, are also open such as by way of donations, etc. In some other cases, there are genuine reasons for such a steep pay. Infrastructural capacity of the academic institutions, distinguished teaching staff and various other amenities that are offered to the students and to other stakeholders, helps in making the institution, a success. In this regard, even the academic institutions have their ways and trade secrets to run the same. Some are rather best kept secret. For example, the salary that they pay to the exceptional teaching staff, the contracts with various Contractors in order to avail the infrastructural facilities in the Institution at a competitive rates, etc., all make it a success. Hence, the leaking of the same could be possibly detrimental to such institutions and therefore they need to be equally concerned about economic espionage/theft of trade secrets.