1. The court seemed to place importance on the fact that Torma gathered the information while at work and working on motors serviced by Northern Electric, and little emphasis on the fact that Torma compiled the information at his home and on his own time and without being asked to do so by Northern Electric. What do you think this message gives to employees who might want to compile information for their own benefit to help improve their skill level, but who wish to keep their work product?
2. Should the employer get the benefit of work that goes above and beyond what’s required of an employee just because the extra effort turns out to be valuable?
3. Clearly, Torma kept the information almost solely within his possession during the course of his employment. What factors do you think drove the court to find that Northern Electric made the effort to keep the information secret?