Trade Secrets

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After several months of delay and heated political discussion among all German parties about the scope of protection regarding journalists, whistleblowers and employees, the German parliament adopted the Federal Government’s draft Trade Secrets Act on 21 March 2019. This act implements Directive (EU) 2016/943 of the European Parliament on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets) against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure into national German law with the aim of establishing a homogenous protection of trade secrets.
Continue Reading Germany Introduces New Trade Secrets Act Which Imposes Extensive Preventive Measures on Companies

On May 11, 2016, President Barack Obama signed the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”), which creates a new federal private cause of action for trade secret misappropriation. The DTSA amends Chapter 90 of Title 18 of the US Code regarding the protection of trade secrets, which had previously only provided for criminal penalties.

Under the DTSA, the owner of a trade secret may bring a civil action for acts of misappropriation occurring on or after the date of enactment of the DTSA if the trade secret is related to a product or service used in, or intended for use in, interstate or foreign commerce. The remedies available include damages and injunctive relief, as well as seizure of “property necessary to prevent the propagation or dissemination of the trade secret” based on an ex parte application by the trade secret owner to a court. The DTSA also provides for security and protection of the subject trade secrets while in the custody of the court.
Continue Reading New US Law Provides for Federal Private Cause of Action for Trade Secret Misappropriation

On 15 December 2015, the European Council and representatives of the European Parliament reached a consensus on the European Commission’s proposed Directive on “the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets) against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure.” The Commission’s original proposal …
Continue Reading The New European Directive on the Protection of Trade Secrets

Mit Urteil vom 25. Februar 2015 entschied das LG Düsseldorf (12 O374/14), dass der Inhaber eines Anspruchs aus §§ 17, 18 UWG, der den Verletzer mittels einer einstweiligen Verfügung ohne vorherige Abmahnung in Anspruch nimmt, seinen Kostenerstattungsanspruch nicht verliert, wenn die vorherige Abmahnung unterblieben ist, um den Erfolg einer Strafanzeige gegen den Verletzer nicht zu gefährden.
Continue Reading Kostenerstattungsanspruch trotz unterbliebener Abmahnung