Legal Question in Business Law in California

Re: Duty to maintain secrecy in fraternities and sororities

If the organization specifically notifies all potential members that such information is secret and must not be revealed, there is arguably an oral contract. Inducing someone to violate the terms of such a contract could be interference with contract. Application of these laws will vary from state to state. At the very least, however, I would imagine that a good attorney could convince a judge to order that the non-member stop publishing the secrets, if not pay damages. You should seek competent counsel in your area for a definitive answer.

Re: Duty to maintain secrecy in fraternities and sororities

I would not dispute a word of the prior comment on your question. I would add, however, that the law does not provide a remedy for a range of contracts that are regarded as merely 'social' in nature, such as an agreement to be one's date for the senior prom. There is a possibility courts would not hear a case of this kind. If it did, the plaintiffs would have a difficult time, I would think, in establishing compensable harm. By analogy and for example, in California a trade secret must have independent economic value in order for a plaintiff to maintain an action for its disclosure.