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ARTICLE · 07 APRIL 2014

Confidential Information

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
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Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

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Many businesses across the EU will welcome the proposal for a directive on protection of valuable business information.

European UnionIntellectual Property
Ian Wood
Ian Wood

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Many businesses across the EU will welcome the proposal for a directive on protection of valuable business information. While the proposal raises concerns that the current protection afforded to confidential information in the UK under common law exceeds that proposed by the directive, many will consider that harmonised trade secrets protection provides clarity and certainty for all EU Member States, allowing businesses to sharing information while pursuing business interests and providing the safeguards needed to prevent misuse of valuable trade secrets.

The EC hopes that the directive will encourage innovation, improve investment in EU businesses and improve conditions for the transfer of knowledge within the EU. The directive will need to be approved by the European Parliament and implemented by member states before it may become law.

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