Disclosure journals and trade secrets

LAMBERT, NANCY E. -NELA (NELA@chevron.com)
Wed, 18 Sep 1996 17:11:00 -0700

I am writing my next "Better Mousetrap" column for SEARCHER Magazine on
"Seeking the unpatented invention," a discussion of how
companies/inventors use disclosures and trade secrets as alternatives to
patenting a subject, and how (if at all) outsiders can look for
information about them.

I plan to talk about both public disclosure journals, like Research
Disclosures, and private ones. I+d very much appreciate some input on
private disclosure journals. Does your company have one? How long has
it existed? How many disclosures (ballpark) does it publish in a year?
Is it strictly your company+s employees+ input, or does it accept
contributions from outside? Do contributions tend to be anonymous or
acknowledge the contributor? Where are copies available? Who can
subscribe? Who (if anyone) indexes/abstracts your disclosure journal?
Is it searchable online anywhere? In general, how do your company+s
employees look for information they+ve disclosed in these journals, and
how can someone from outside look?

I+d also be interested in whatever you can tell me about your company+s
trade secret policies. I realize this is a bit trickier/more
confidential, but I+d like to accumulate some general information on
what companies keep extensive trade secrets, and in what subject areas.

I+d also appreciate some literature references that give overviews or
reviews of disclosure journals or trade secret policies.

Any input is appreciated; I+ll acknowledge major input in the article.

Thanks much!

Nancy Lambert
nela@chevron.com
(510) 242-3161