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Microwave Technology For Sale? Oops - That'll Get You Prison Time

By Todd

Allen Cotten apparently worked for Genesis Microwave Inc. in El Dorado Hills, and admitted that beginning in February 2004 he began to steal plans, designs, parts and specifications for components known as logarithmic video amplifiers. The technology has military applications for radar jamming, guidance, countermeasures and locating enemy signals during combat.
Cotten sold trade secrets and offered them for sale to foreign governments and foreign military contractors through February 2006, prosecutors said; evidence and Cotten's statements indicated he sold or was seeking to sell parts and information for a total amount of $250,000.

Cotten has pleaded guilty to theft of trade secrets in U.S. District Court and admitted to a two-year scheme to steal and sell microwave technology, the local U.S. Attorney's office said in a news release. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Full post as published by Womble Trade Secrets Blog on February 29, 2008 (boomark / email).