In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter are joined by their Troutman Pepper Locke partners, Austin Padgett and Rusty Close, who host the No Infringement Intended podcast. Together, they explore the intersection of intellectual property (IP) and employment law through the lens of the movie The Social Network. They discuss works made for hire, the impact of the Defend Trade Secrets Act, and the challenges employers of all sizes face in protecting their innovations and the inventions their employees create on their behalf. Discover the critical lessons learned from real-life IP disputes, the importance of proper documentation, and best practices for protecting your company’s ideas.

Transcript: From Ideas to Ownership: Navigating IP and Employment Law ‎Through the Lens of The Social Network (PDF)


Troutman Pepper Locke’s Labor + Employment Practice Group provides comprehensive thought leadership through various channels. We regularly issue advisories that offer timely insights into the evolving employment law landscape, and maintain the HiringToFiring.Law Blog, a resource spotlighting best practices for employers. Our Hiring to Firing Podcast, hosted by Tracey Diamond and new co-host Emily Schifter, delves into pressing labor and employment law topics, drawing unique parallels from pop culture, hit shows, and movies.

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Photo of Tracey Diamond Tracey Diamond

Tracey Diamond counsels clients on workplace issues, provides harassment training, conducts internal investigations, drafts policies and procedures, negotiates employment and severance agreements, advises on independent contractor, FMLA and ADA compliance issues, and partners with clients to structure their workforce in the most efficient…

Tracey Diamond counsels clients on workplace issues, provides harassment training, conducts internal investigations, drafts policies and procedures, negotiates employment and severance agreements, advises on independent contractor, FMLA and ADA compliance issues, and partners with clients to structure their workforce in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Photo of Emily Schifter Emily Schifter

Emily is a partner in the Labor + Employment Practice Group, where she represents clients in a variety of labor and employment-related matters, including employment discrimination, leave, disability accommodation, and wage and hour litigation. Additionally, she counsels employers on many aspects of employment

Emily is a partner in the Labor + Employment Practice Group, where she represents clients in a variety of labor and employment-related matters, including employment discrimination, leave, disability accommodation, and wage and hour litigation. Additionally, she counsels employers on many aspects of employment law and human resources issues, including employee handbooks, policies and restrictive covenants drafted under various states’ laws for a variety of circumstances, including as part of mergers and acquisitions.

Photo of Austin Padgett Austin Padgett

Austin is a copyright, trademark, and advertising attorney in the firm’s Intellectual Property group.

Photo of Christopher C. “Rusty” Close Christopher C. “Rusty” Close

An experienced technology attorney, Rusty counsels companies on complex transactional and intellectual property matters. Clients turn to him for guidance on the protection, commercialization, acquisition, and disposition of intellectual property assets as well as for drafting and negotiating corporate, health care, and technology

An experienced technology attorney, Rusty counsels companies on complex transactional and intellectual property matters. Clients turn to him for guidance on the protection, commercialization, acquisition, and disposition of intellectual property assets as well as for drafting and negotiating corporate, health care, and technology agreements.