Many individuals have used the experience they gain while working at a company to advance their careers and open doors to future opportunities. However, should a company in Florida believe that a person takes and continues to use sensitive information in their endeavors, it may wish to take steps to protect its business interests. Bass Pro has filed a theft of trade secrets lawsuit against two startup companies recently founded by former Cabela's employees.

According to the lawsuit, both companies were recently formed by employees who formerly worked as managers and directors at Cabela's, which is owned by Bass Pro. The company claims that these employees took sensitive company information with them upon leaving and used this information to form their startups. Bass Pro also asserts that the employees have violated the noncompete agreements they signed, preventing them from working with competitors for a set period.

In the lawsuit, Bass Pro is seeking to recover an unspecified amount in damages, along with the return of severance payments. However, the former employees state that they did not take and use sensitive trade secrets to start their companies. They also claim that their noncompete agreements are either void due to location or that they were nullified through later arrangements.

Issues surrounding violation of noncompete agreements and theft of trade secrets can be exceedingly complex. Those who become involved in similar disputes could find it beneficial to speak with an experienced attorney early on for guidance on the best course of action with which to proceed. An attorney can examine the situation and assist a client in Florida in protecting his or her legal rights and pursuing a favorable outcome through the necessary channels.