FL S0564

Amends section 812.081, Florida Statutes to include financial information within the definition of trade secrets protected under theft, embezzlement, and unlawful copying laws.

Expands the definition of "trade secret" to explicitly include financial information alongside existing categories such as scientific, technical, commercial information, designs, processes, procedures, supplier lists, and customer lists.

Maintains criminal penalties for stealing, embezzling, or unlawfully copying trade secrets as a felony of the third degree, punishable under sections 775.082 or 775.083.

Clarifies that returning or intending to return a stolen, embezzled, or copied article does not constitute a legal defense to charges under this statute.

Takes effect October 1, 2015.