Effectively
protect
know-how.
Effectively
protect
know-how.
The protection of trade secrets is essential for long-term success: We support you in safeguarding your trade secrets, from the implementation of effective confidentiality strategies to the consistent enforcement of your rights in the event of infringements.
Lawyers for know-how protection
and trade secrets
Der Schutz von Know-How und Betriebs- und Geschäftsgeheimnissen ist für viele Unternehmen von enormer wirtschaftlicher Bedeutung. Wissen und Geschäftsgeheimnisse, die nicht durch Sonderschutzrechte wie das Markenrecht, Designrecht, Urheberrecht oder Patentrecht geschützt sind, bedürfen besonderer Maßnahmen, um diese vor dem Zugriff Dritter zu schützen. So können das Know-How und Geschäftsgeheimnisse von Unternehmen für Konkurrenten, Kunden, Subunternehmer und andere von großem Interesse sein. Vielfach wird dann an (ehemalige) Mitarbeiter des Unternehmens herangetreten, um an diese Informationen zu gelangen.
Know-how protection helps companies to preserve their valuable, often unique knowledge and skills that are not covered by other legal protection measures
From the EU directive to national protection
Waren Betriebs- und Geschäftsgeheimnisse nach alter Rechtslage durch das Wettbewerbsrecht geschützt, hat sich die Rechtslage spätestens seit Juni 2018 geändert. So wurde bereits am 08.06.2016 die EU-Richtlinie über den Schutz vertraulichen Know-hows und vertraulicher Geschäftsinformationen (Geschäftsgeheimnisse) vor rechtswidrigem Erwerb sowie rechtswidriger Nutzung und Offenlegung erlassen. Deren Umsetzungsfrist endete am 08.06.2018, so dass spätestens seit diesem Zeitpunkt die Regelungen der Richtlinie für den Schutz von Know-How und Geschäftsgeheimnisse bei der Auslegung nationaler Vorschriften heranzuziehen sind. Am 26.04.2019 trat schließlich in Deutschland das Gesetz zum Schutz von Geschäftsgeheimnissen (GeschGehG) als Umsetzung der Know-How-Schutz-Richtlinie in Kraft.
What is a “trade secret”?
The law sets three cumulative requirements that information must fulfill in order to be considered a trade secret. Accordingly, a trade secret exists if the information:
- is not generally known or readily accessible, either as a whole or in the precise arrangement and composition of its components, to persons within the circles that normally deal with this type of information and is therefore of commercial value, and
- is the subject of confidentiality measures appropriate to the circumstances by its legitimate owner, and
- for which there is a legitimate interest in confidentiality
Significance for practice
It follows from the legal requirements that companies must demonstrate appropriate confidentiality measures in the event of a dispute in order to protect trade secrets. Comprehensive protection concepts in technical, legal and organizational terms have proven their worth in this regard
Contractual safeguards in the form of confidentiality agreements, also known as NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) or CDAs (confidential disclosure agreements), are a key component of this. It is important that confidentiality measures and their appropriateness must be documented in the event of a dispute in order to avoid the risk of losing your own trade secrets.
We are happy to support you in all matters relating to know-how protection and trade secrets in a national and international context.
We are here to
advise you on
Know-how protection!
Our expertise as lawyers in know-how protection
We support companies through our experienced legal and specialist lawyers by providing competent advice in the area of know-how and trade secret protection. Our activities include
- Development of secret protection concepts
- Preparation, drafting, review and negotiation of contracts in German and English, e.g. confidentiality agreements, research and development contracts
- Representation in corresponding court and arbitration proceedings for claims based on infringement of trade secrets
Protecting know-how is one of the most important tasks for any company that wants to be successful in the long term. By taking proactive and forward-looking legal measures, you can prevent your knowledge from falling into the wrong hands and causing damage to your company.
Our team
in know-how protection
Our team
in know-how protection
essential laws on the
Know-how protection
essential laws on the
Know-how protection
