HB 1523: Combating Corporate Espionage in Florida Act

• Creates criminal penalties for theft of trade secrets (third-degree felony) and trafficking in trade secrets (second-degree felony), with enhanced definitions of "trade secret" covering formulas, designs, processes, customer lists, and business information that provide competitive advantage.

• Elevates offenses to higher felony degrees when committed with intent to benefit a foreign government, foreign agent, or foreign instrumentality (theft becomes second-degree felony; trafficking becomes first-degree felony).

• Requires courts to order restitution for convicted offenders including the value of benefits derived and costs avoided through research, design, and reproduction of stolen trade secrets.

• Authorizes civil actions by trade secret owners to enjoin improper use and allows courts to impose royalty payments when injunctions are inequitable.

• Provides exemption from criminal and civil liability for disclosures made confidentially to attorneys, law enforcement, or government officials for reporting suspected law violations, or in sealed court filings.