Trade Secrets Directive

With the Trade Secrets Directive it is possible to protect trade secrets more comprehensively than before. We have broken down all of the key information you need to know about the European Trade Secrets Directive on our website, along with information on the current status of the German Trade Secrets Act. In addition, all articles from the Directive have been linked to the underlying recitals and all legislative documents published to date have been provided.

The Directive (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets) against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure - abbreviated to Trade Secrets Directive or sometimes Know-how Directive - harmonises the legal protection of trade secrets within the European Union.

 

In Germany, the EU Trade Secrets Directive will be transposed by way of the German Trade Secrets Act within this year. In future, companies that want to protect their know-how and their other trade secrets (for example customer relationships, internal figures), will have to change their protection strategy to fit the new law. Otherwise, there is the danger that previously protected know-how and trade secrets could become common property.


Recitals

1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10

 

11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20

 

21  22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29  30

 

31  32  33  34  35  36  37  38  39  40

Chapter I - Subject matter and scope

Article 1  –  Subject matter and scope

Article 2  –  Definitions

 

Chapter II - Acquisition, use and disclosure of trade secrets

Article 3  –  Lawful acquisition, use and disclosure of trade secrets

Article 4  –  Unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure of trade secrets

Article 5  –  Exceptions

 

Chapter III - Measures, procedures and remedies

Section 1 General provisions

Article 6  –  General obligation

Article 7  –  Proportionality and abuse of process

Article 8  –  Limitation period

Article 9  –  Preservation of confidentiality of trade secrets in the course of legal proceedings

 

Section 2 Provisional and precautionary measures

Article 10  –  Provisional and precautionary measures

Article 11  –  Conditions of application and safeguards

 

Section 3 Measures resulting from a decision on the merits of the case

Article 12  –  Injunctions and corrective measures

Article 13  –  Conditions of application, safeguards and alternative measures

Article 14  –  Damages

Article 15  –  Publication of judicial decisions

 

Chapter IV - Sanctions, reporting and final provisions

Article 16  –  Sanctions for non-compliance with this Directive

Article 17  –  Exchange of information and correspondents

Article 18  –  Reports

Article 19  –  Transposition

Article 20  –  Entry into force

Article 21  –  Addressees