New concepts in trade secrets legislation

Abstract

Due to the different legislation of trade secrets definition and its protection in EU member countries, as well as in order to remove obstacles to the proper functioning of the internal market, Directive (EU) 2016/943 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 was adopted. Slovak Republic transposed the Directive into national law by adopting Act No. 264/2017. This amendment, with effect from 1 January 2018, also brought about a number of substantial changes to the trade secrets legislation: new concepts have been embedded and new options of trade secrets protection have been extended.