Iowa
Iowa Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines
Iowa enacted the Iowa Uniform Trade Secrets Act, codified at Iowa Code §§ 550.1 to 550.8, in 1990. The statute closely tracks the Uniform Trade Secrets Act and sets a three-year civil limitations period running from the date misappropriation was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered (Iowa Code § 550.6).
This guide is part of our Trade Secret Laws by State series.
Information last verified on 2026-06-25. This article presents general legal information, not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, see Trade Secret Laws by State and consult an attorney licensed in Iowa.
Does Iowa have a trade secret law?
Yes. Iowa enacted the Iowa Uniform Trade Secrets Act in 1990, codified at Iowa Code §§ 550.1 to 550.8. The statute follows the UTSA framework used by 48 other states and the District of Columbia, so Iowa's definitions, standards for misappropriation, and remedies closely track the national model. The law covers all qualifying forms of information, including manufacturing processes, customer lists, pricing models, formulas, and software source code, without requiring registration with any government agency. Iowa Code § 550.8 preempts most conflicting state tort theories that rest on the same underlying facts as a trade-secret claim, channeling those disputes into the Iowa Uniform Trade Secrets Act framework.
What counts as a trade secret and misappropriation in Iowa?
Iowa Code § 550.1 defines a trade secret as information that satisfies two requirements: (1) the information derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to or readily ascertainable by proper means by persons who could profit from its use; and (2) the information is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.
Both elements must be present. A customer database, proprietary formula, business strategy, or piece of software code can qualify so long as the owner actively guards it and gains a competitive advantage from keeping it confidential. Losing secrecy by any means, including inadvertent public disclosure, ends protection permanently.
Misappropriation under Iowa Code § 550.1 takes two forms. The first is acquisition by improper means, which includes theft, bribery, misrepresentation, breach of a duty to maintain secrecy, or electronic espionage. The second is disclosure or use of a trade secret without consent by someone who knew or had reason to know that the secret was acquired by improper means, or who was subject to a duty of confidence and exceeded that duty.
Two limits apply. Reverse engineering a lawfully obtained product is a proper means of learning information and does not constitute misappropriation under Iowa law. Likewise, independent development of the same information is lawful.
Remedies and the limitations period in Iowa
Iowa Code § 550.2 authorizes injunctive relief to prevent actual or threatened misappropriation for as long as the trade secret would otherwise have remained protectable. Where an injunction would be inequitable, courts may instead require payment of a reasonable royalty for the period of authorized use.
Monetary remedies under Iowa Code § 550.3 include actual damages for losses caused by the misappropriation, plus any unjust enrichment not already captured by the damages figure, or a reasonable royalty as an alternative measure. For willful and malicious misappropriation, Iowa Code § 550.3 also permits exemplary damages of up to twice the compensatory award. Attorney fees may be awarded under Iowa Code § 550.4 when misappropriation was willful and malicious, or when a claim or defense was made or maintained in bad faith.
Iowa's limitations period is three years (Iowa Code § 550.6), running from the date misappropriation was discovered or, by reasonable diligence, should have been discovered. Continuing misappropriation is treated as a single claim; the three-year period begins from the first act the owner discovered or reasonably should have discovered, not from the most recent act.
How the federal DTSA applies in Iowa
The Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (18 U.S.C. §§ 1836-1839) gives Iowa businesses a parallel federal civil claim when the misappropriated secret relates to a product or service used in or intended for use in interstate or foreign commerce. The DTSA does not displace Iowa Code §§ 550.1 to 550.8 (18 U.S.C. § 1838), and Iowa owners routinely bring both state and federal claims in the same lawsuit.
The DTSA includes procedural tools unavailable under Iowa state law alone, including an ex parte civil seizure application to recover misappropriated materials in extraordinary circumstances (18 U.S.C. § 1836(b)(2)). The federal limitations period mirrors Iowa's: three years from discovery (18 U.S.C. § 1836(d)).
One compliance requirement applies directly to Iowa employers: any confidentiality agreement or nondisclosure agreement signed or updated after May 11, 2016 must contain the DTSA whistleblower-immunity notice required by 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b)(3). Omitting that notice forfeits the right to recover exemplary damages and attorney fees from that employee under the DTSA, even for willful theft. The federal Economic Espionage Act (18 U.S.C. §§ 1831-1832) also applies to criminal trade-secret theft in Iowa.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. It describes Iowa trade-secret law as of 2026-06-25 and does not address your specific facts. Trade-secret disputes are fact-intensive and limitations periods are strict. Consult an attorney licensed in Iowa before taking action.
Related articles
- Trade Secret Laws by State
- Indiana Trade Secret Laws
- Kansas Trade Secret Laws
- Is AI-generated code copyright infringement?
Last updated: 2026-06-25.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a trade secret under Iowa law?
Under Iowa Code § 550.1, information qualifies as a trade secret if it derives independent economic value from not being generally known or readily ascertainable by others who could profit from it, and the owner takes reasonable steps to maintain its secrecy. Common examples are customer lists, formulas, source code, and pricing models. Protection ends permanently if the information becomes public by any means.
How long do I have to file a trade secret lawsuit in Iowa?
Three years from the date misappropriation was discovered or should have been discovered through reasonable diligence (Iowa Code § 550.6). Continuing misappropriation is treated as a single claim starting from the first act the owner discovered or should have discovered, so prompt investigation is important. The parallel federal DTSA claim carries the same three-year limitations period (18 U.S.C. § 1836(d)).
What remedies are available for trade secret theft in Iowa?
Injunctions to stop actual or threatened misappropriation (Iowa Code § 550.2), actual damages plus unjust enrichment or a reasonable royalty (Iowa Code § 550.3), exemplary damages up to twice the compensatory award for willful and malicious misappropriation, and attorney fees for willful and malicious or bad-faith claims (Iowa Code § 550.4). Federal DTSA remedies under 18 U.S.C. § 1836(b)(3) can be pleaded alongside Iowa claims.
Do NDAs and confidentiality agreements protect trade secrets in Iowa?
Yes. Confidentiality agreements support the reasonable-secrecy-measures element required by Iowa Code § 550.1 and strengthen a trade-secret claim. Any NDA signed or updated after May 11, 2016 must also include the DTSA whistleblower-immunity notice under 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b). Omitting it forfeits exemplary damages and attorney fees from that employee under federal law, even for willful misappropriation.
How does the federal DTSA interact with Iowa trade secret law?
The DTSA (18 U.S.C. §§ 1836-1839) provides a parallel federal claim when the secret relates to interstate or foreign commerce. It does not preempt Iowa Code §§ 550.1 to 550.8 (18 U.S.C. § 1838), so Iowa owners often plead both. DTSA-only features include civil ex parte seizure (18 U.S.C. § 1836(b)(2)) and the whistleblower notice requirement. Both laws share the UTSA two-part definition and a three-year limitations period.
Updates
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The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on 4 statutory provisions held in our own legal record, each retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
United States Code Title 18
§ 1832Theft of trade secretsIn forcecited in 28 of our articles
Whoever, with intent to convert a trade secret, that is related to a product or service used in or intended for use in interstate or foreign commerce, to the economic benefit of anyone other than the owner thereof, and intending or knowing that the offense will, injure any owner of that trade secret, knowingly— steals, or without authorization appropriates, takes, carries away, or conceals, or by fraud, artifice, or deception obtains such information; without authorization copies, duplicates, sketches, draws, photographs, downloads, uploads, alters, destroys, photocopies, replicates, transmits, delivers, sends, mails, communicates, or conveys such information; receives, buys, or possesses such information, knowing the same to have been stolen or appropriated, obtained, or converted without authorization; attempts to commit any offense described in paragraphs (1) through (3); or conspires with one or more other persons to commit any offense described in paragraphs (1) through (3), and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, shall, except as provided in subsection (b), be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-28 · Read the full section at uscode.house.gov
Also relied on in: Trade Secret Laws by State: UTSA & DTSA (2026), Alabama Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines, Alaska Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines
§ 1833Exceptions to prohibitionsIn forcecited in 40 of our articles
This chapter does not prohibit or create a private right of action for— any otherwise lawful activity conducted by a governmental entity of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State; or the disclosure of a trade secret in accordance with subsection (b). An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that— is made— in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. An individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual— files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-28 · Read the full section at uscode.house.gov
Also relied on in: Arizona Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines, Arkansas Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines, California Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines
§ 1836Civil proceedingsIn forcecited in 52 of our articles
The Attorney General may, in a civil action, obtain appropriate injunctive relief against any violation of this chapter. An owner of a trade secret that is misappropriated may bring a civil action under this subsection if the trade secret is related to a product or service used in, or intended for use in, interstate or foreign commerce. Based on an affidavit or verified complaint satisfying the requirements of this paragraph, the court may, upon ex parte application but only in extraordinary circumstances, issue an order providing for the seizure of property necessary to prevent the propagation or dissemination of the trade secret that is the subject of the action.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-28 · Read the full section at uscode.house.gov
Also relied on in: Colorado Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines, Connecticut Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines, Delaware Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines
§ 1838Construction with other lawsIn forcecited in 52 of our articles
Except as provided in section 1833(b), this chapter shall not be construed to preempt or displace any other remedies, whether civil or criminal, provided by United States Federal, State, commonwealth, possession, or territory law for the misappropriation of a trade secret, or to affect the otherwise lawful disclosure of information by any Government employee under section 552 of title 5 (commonly known as the Freedom of Information Act).
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-28 · Read the full section at uscode.house.gov
Also relied on in: District of Columbia Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines, Florida Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines, Georgia Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines
Search our full record of US law — 1.79 million sections, every state + federal →
Sources and References
- Iowa Uniform Trade Secrets Act, Iowa Code §§ 550.1 to 550.8(legis.iowa.gov).gov
- Defend Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1836-1839(law.cornell.edu)
- Uniform Trade Secrets Act (Uniform Law Commission)(uniformlaws.org)
- Economic Espionage Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1831-1832(law.cornell.edu)