Which consequence can result from economic espionage?

Economic espionage involves the theft or misappropriation of trade secrets or other confidential business information for commercial advantage. A significant consequence of engaging in such illegal activities is the risk of severe legal penalties, including imprisonment. In many jurisdictions, individuals found guilty of economic espionage can face lengthy prison sentences, often up to 15 years, depending on the severity of their offenses, the extent of the damage caused, and other mitigating or aggravating factors.

The legal framework is designed to deter individuals and organizations from stealing proprietary information since it not only harms the targeted companies but also disrupts fair competition in the marketplace. This highlights the serious nature of economic espionage and underscores why harsh penalties are established as a deterrent.

The other potential consequences listed, such as increased competition or public relations challenges, occur in different contexts and may not be direct legal repercussions stemming from economic espionage. Additionally, while factors like employee morale can be affected in broader contexts of ethical or operational misconduct, they do not capture the legal implications that arise specifically from actions associated with economic espionage.