Snepp v. United States

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Snepp v. United States
Court Supreme Court of the United States
Citation
Date decided February 19, 1980
Appealed from 4th Circuit

Facts

As a condition of employment, FRANK SNEPP signed an agreement to not disclose classified information during or after his service without prior restraint. After leaving the CIA, Snepp published Decent Interval (1977) without seeking prior approval from the CIA.

Procedural History

The federal government sues Snepp for breach of contract & breach of fiduciary relationship. The government sought the creation of a constructive trust (due to unjust enrichment) to turn over the book's royalties to the government instead of the author Snepp.

Holding

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