ARTICLE · 18 JULY 2018

Know How To Protect Your Know-How

Arthur Cox

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Organisations should take steps now to ensure their valuable know-how and business information can be classed as a ‘trade secret' ...

IrelandIntellectual Property

Joanelle O’Cleirigh

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Organisations should take steps now to ensure their valuable know-how and business information can be classed as a 'trade secret' to obtain the protection offered by new Irish Regulations.

The Irish Trade Secrets Regulations transpose the EU Trade Secrets Directive into Irish law, and will benefit those seeking a remedy for the unlawful acquisition, use or disclosure of their trade secrets.

The Regulations place trade secret protection on a statutory footing for the first time in Ireland. Until now, trade secrets were only protected through the common law action for breach of confidence.

WHAT IS A TRADE SECRET?

A trade secret, as defined by the Directive, is information which:

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