Which Act considers the act of stealing trade secrets to be a crime?

The Economic Espionage Act is the correct choice because it explicitly addresses the theft of trade secrets, classifying it as a federal crime. Enacted in 1996, this legislation aims to protect American businesses from economic espionage and the unlawful misappropriation of trade secrets. The Act not only provides criminal penalties for individuals who steal or conspire to steal trade secrets but also establishes civil penalties and sets out a legal framework for dealing with the theft of intellectual property at a federal level.

The importance of this Act lies in its role in safeguarding innovation and maintaining competitive advantages in the marketplace, ensuring that proprietary information remains protected from those who might seek to exploit it for unauthorized use. This focus on trade secret theft and the severe penalties included emphasize the seriousness of protecting intellectual property in a global economy.