The Press & Trade Secrets -- The New York Times Wants Yours

According to Reuters, the New York Times is suing in state court in Texas to get confidential documents of medical device maker Guidant. That company faces numerous product liability lawsuits related to a July 2005 recall of its defibrillators.

The action seeking the disclosure was announced by a Texas attorney who represents two plaintiffs in product liability cases against Guidant.

He claims that "these documents are not trade secrets, only evil secrets."

Although it's not entirely clear from the context of the article, it appears that this may be another case where the press -- if not working directly in league with plaintiffs' attorneys -- is at least serving their purpose by seeking disclosure of trade secrets.