$175 Million Trade Secrets Verdict: What the HouseCanary Case Means for Your Business

A San Antonio jury recently awarded $175 million to real estate analytics firm HouseCanary Inc. after finding that title company Amrock LLC misappropriated proprietary appraisal technology and data. The verdict, which came after a nearly four-week trial in Bexar County, Texas, marks the second time a jury has sided with HouseCanary in this long-running dispute. For business owners who rely on proprietary data, algorithms, or processes to stay competitive, the case delivers a clear message: trade secret theft can carry enormous consequences, but only if you take the right steps to protect your information in the first place.

What Happened in the HouseCanary Case?

HouseCanary developed proprietary home valuation analytics and data tools designed for the real estate industry. The company alleged that Amrock, a subsidiary of Rocket Companies, gained access to this technology through a business relationship and then used it without authorization. HouseCanary claimed that Amrock not only misappropriated its trade secrets but also defrauded the company during the course of their dealings. A jury first sided with HouseCanary in 2018, awarding a staggering $706 million. That verdict was later overturned on appeal, leading to the retrial that concluded in March 2026 with the $175 million award. The jury found that Amrock's conduct was willful, and the final damages figure does not yet include prejudgment interest or attorney fees that could push the total even higher.

Why Trade Secrets Carry Such High Stakes

Trade secrets are one of the most valuable and most vulnerable forms of intellectual property. Unlike patents, which require public disclosure, trade secrets derive their value from remaining confidential. Under the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act and state laws modeled on the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, businesses can pursue significant damages when proprietary information is stolen or misused. But the protection only applies if the business can demonstrate that it took reasonable steps to keep the information secret. Courts look at whether the company used nondisclosure agreements, restricted access to sensitive data, implemented security protocols, and maintained clear documentation of what qualifies as proprietary. Companies that treat confidentiality as an afterthought often struggle to prove their case, no matter how valuable the stolen information may be.

Key Takeaway for Business Owners

The HouseCanary verdict is a powerful reminder that the proprietary data, processes, and technology your business develops can be worth far more than you might expect, and that courts are willing to impose substantial penalties on those who steal it. But that protection does not happen automatically. If your business relies on confidential information for its competitive edge, you need a deliberate strategy to safeguard it. Use tailored nondisclosure agreements with every employee, contractor, and business partner who touches sensitive material. Implement access controls so that only the people who need specific information can see it. Conduct exit interviews when employees leave to reinforce their confidentiality obligations. And document what qualifies as a trade secret within your organization so there is no ambiguity if a dispute arises.

The difference between a company that recovers $175 million for trade secret theft and one that walks away empty-handed often comes down to the strength of its protection measures. Investing in those safeguards now is far less expensive than litigating without them later.

Want to learn more about protecting your business's trade secrets? Schedule a free consultation with Diorio IP Law Group to discuss your options.