This case involves the efforts of a consumer electronics producer to steal talent, trade secrets, and intellectual property from its chief competitor. The plaintiff company claimed that the defendant lacked the proprietary technology, capabilities, and expertise to progress in the technology space. The defendant allegedly sought to overcome those shortcomings by attracting and retaining highly skilled employees. The defendant went about this by systematically plundering the plaintiff’s employees and their competitor’s critical trade secrets and intellectual property. An expert in electrical engineering consulting was sought to describe the particular processes of engineering consumer electronics, including circuit tuning, product testing, and component selection, and explain why these processes constitute trade secrets.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. Please briefly describe your electrical engineering experience with consumer electronics.
2. Are you able to discuss circuit tuning, product testing, and component selection for consumer electronic products?
3. Are you able to discuss why these values constitute trade secrets?
Expert Witness Response E-017505
I'm very familiar with Bluetooth technology in consumer products and can discuss the design and testing of consumer electronic devices. While leading Bluetooth, I was the driving force behind the testing and certification program for the technology. The fitness and wearable market was a key area for expanding the technology beyond its initial base of audio -- primarily headsets and hands-free in cars. Thus, I worked with many companies in that space to ensure Bluetooth met their requirements. In the past few years while consulting I have helped numerous companies design and add wireless capabilities to their products. This work has been very hands-on. I can also discuss why these are trade secrets. Circuit tuning is particularly important in devices containing wireless capabilities. Most companies develop in-house processes for these steps which they protect as a competitive advantage.
About the author
Victoria Negron
Victoria Negron has extensive experience in journalism and thought leadership in the legal space, with a background crafting content, whitepapers, webinars, and current event articles pertaining to the role of expert witnesses in complex litigation matters. She is a skilled professional specializing in B2B product marketing and content marketing. Currently, she serves as an Enterprise Product Marketing Manager at Postman, and previously held the position of Technical Product Marketing Manager at Palantir Technologies, where she developed her skills in launch strategies, go-to-market strategy, and competitive analysis.
Her expertise in content marketing was further refined during her tenure at the Expert Institute, where she progressed from a Marketing Writer to Senior Content Marketing Manager, and eventually to Associate Director of Content & Product Marketing. In these roles, she honed her abilities in digital marketing, SEO, content strategy, and thought leadership.
Educationally, Victoria holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida - Warrington College of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, Art, and Hispanic Studies from Hamilton College. Her diverse educational background and professional experience have equipped her with a robust skill set in product marketing, content development, and strategic marketing initiatives.
