Opinion ID: 2145911
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Bird Pole

Text: Lemmon contends that Revenge has misappropriated Do-Rite's bird pole device, which she alleges is a trade secret under the common law. She asserts that its status as a protected trade secret and Hendrickson's past attempt to duplicate it necessitates an injunction. We disagree. There are three recognized prerequisites for relief based on the appropriation of a trade secret: (1) existence of a trade secret, (2) acquisition of the secret as a result of a confidential relationship, and (3) unauthorized use of the secret. Basic Chems., Inc. v. Benson, 251 N.W.2d 220, 226 (Iowa 1977). The plaintiff has the burden to establish each of these elements by a preponderance of the evidence. Id. The parties disagree over whether the bird pole sufficiently constitutes a trade secret such that it falls within the statutory and common law protection. But assuming, arguendo, that it can be classified as such, we find that Lemmon has failed to meet the burden of proof on the third element. There is no indication in the record that Revenge has engaged in unauthorized use of the bird pole. The trial court found there was no evidence that Hendrickson had used the pole or successfully duplicated its design while at Revenge, or that he intended to do so in the future. There was credible testimony that although Hendrickson did at one time attempt to replicate the pole, he abandoned those efforts after replication proved to be infeasible. There is insufficient evidence to prove that any misappropriation occurred. Lemmon correctly notes that section 550.3(1) of the Iowa Code empowers a court to award an injunction for actual or threatened misappropriation of a trade secret. Iowa Code § 550.3(1) (1995). But in this case, we find that there was neither actual nor threatened appropriation. Even if the bird pole was found to be a trade secret, an injunction would not be warranted in this case. Hendrickson testified that he has no further plans to attempt to use the telescopic pole. As we have previously noted: Equity interposes by injunction to prevent future rather than past acts, and so acts and practices will not, as a rule, furnish a basis for injunctive relief when they have been discontinued or abandoned before institution of the suit to restrain them, or even after such suit is begun, particularly where there is nothing to indicate a probability that they will be resumed.... Conley v. Warne, 236 N.W.2d 682, 686 (Iowa 1975) (quoting 42 Am.Jur.2d Injunctions § 5, at 731 (1969)).