The Road Towards the Harmonisation of Trade Secrets Law in the European Union
REVISTA LA PROPIEDAD INMATERIAL, No. 20, JULIO-DICIEMBRE DE 2015
12 Pages Posted: 20 Jan 2016
Date Written: January 20, 2016
Abstract
Trade secrets have traditionally been protected in various ways by national laws in the European Union. The international intellectual property treaties offered only a limited common core. From this starting point this article examines the new EU draft directive on trade secrets. The aim is not to put in place a comprehensive EU regime for the protection of trade secrets. There will only be a partial harmonisation of the national laws of the Member States, focussing on the unlawful acquisition, disclosure and use of trade secrets, and that harmonization will be of a minimalist nature in the sense that Member States may provide, in compliance with the provisions of the Treaty, for more far-reaching protection against the unlawful acquisition, use or disclosure of trade secrets than that required in the Directive.
Keywords: Trade secrets, European Union, draft directive, national laws, international treaties
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