Background: Former employees brought separate actions against employer, alleging
breach of contract and violation of the Wage and Hour Act, and sought declaratory
judgment that they were not bound by non-competition agreement. Employer
counterclaimed for breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, and
unfair competition. The Superior Court, Watauga County, J. Marlene Hyatt, J.,
granted employees' motions for judgment on the pleadings as to their claims,
dismissed misappropriation of trade secrets claim, and granted employees judgment
on the pleadings on remaining counterclaims. Employer appealed.

Holdings: Upon consolidation, the Court of Appeals, Stephens, J., held that employer's allegations were insufficient to state a claim for misappropriation of trade secrets.

Affirmed.