Boris Corp

Boris Corp. has invented a production process that allows it to produce its product at half the cost incurred by the rest of the industry. Boris' main competitor, Dudley Manufacturing, hires a specialist in industrial espionage to try to learn the secret process. The spy finally hits pay dirt one day while sitting near Boris' engineers at a restaurant. The spy overheard the engineers discussing plans to improve the process further. The spy promptly returns to Dudley and relays the information. Did Dudley obtain this information unlawfully?

A) Yes, it unlawful to hire an industrial spy to follow around another company's employees.
B) Yes, but only if Dudley is an American company.
C) No, because the spy overheard the information in public.
D) No, it is not illegal to obtain the information, but it is illegal to use it to earn profits.