Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 1838: Construction with other laws

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute clarifies that trade secret protections do not override other available civil or criminal remedies, and do not restrict lawful government information disclosures under the Freedom of Information Act.

Read the full statutory text
Except as provided in section 1833(b), this chapter shall not be construed to preempt or displace any other remedies, whether civil or criminal, provided by United States Federal, State, commonwealth, possession, or territory law for the misappropriation of a trade secret, or to affect the otherwise lawful disclosure of information by any Government employee under section 552 of title 5 (commonly known as the Freedom of Information Act).

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.