Question: Gene is a computer programmer for Big Sales, Inc. Gene feels mistreated at work, so he hacks into BigSaless secure computer network and obtains the

Gene is a computer programmer for Big Sales, Inc. Gene feels mistreated at work, so he hacks into BigSaless secure computer network and obtains the companys confidential customer list. Only three people in the company have access to the customer list and it is never shared with anyone. Gene sells the customer list to Christa for $20,000, a salesperson who competes with Big Sales. Gene tells Christa, this took me a lot of effort to get. Dont tell anyone where you got the list. I could get fired if the company finds out. Big Sales didnt exactly hand this to me, you know. Six months later, Big Sales finds out and sues Christa for trade secret misappropriation. Will Big Sales win?

a.

Yes, Big Sales can win by simply proving Christas possessed the customer list

b.

Yes, Christa obtained the trade secret knowing Gene acquired it through improper means

c.

No, the customer list is not a formula, price, or process and thus does not qualify as a protectable trade secret

d.

No, Big Sales did not take reasonable efforts to keep the customer list a secret

e.

No, Christa had no way of knowing that the information purchased was improperly obtained

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