Final answer:
The theft of trade secrets is a federal crime in the United States, and this is detailed in the Economic Espionage Act of 1996. Companies like Coca-Cola keep such secrets to maintain a competitive edge and federal laws provide protection against their theft.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theft of trade secrets is indeed considered a federal crime in the United States. This is governed by various laws including the Economic Espionage Act of 1996. Trade secrets, such as the formula for Coca-Cola, are valuable proprietary information that companies keep secret to maintain competitive advantages. These secrets are not necessarily protected by patent or copyright law, but there are still legal protections in place to prevent others from stealing this confidential information. The federal law criminalizes the theft, misappropriation, or espionage of trade secrets.
True or False: The theft of trade secrets is a federal crime
True. The federal government recognizes the economic value and importance of trade secrets and, as such, has made it a federal offense to steal or unlawfully acquire such proprietary information.