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Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

FAQ: Protection against the unlawful acquisition of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets)

The trade secrets directive establishes a clear set of rules to facilitate access to comparable civil action across the EU in the case of trade secret misappropriation. The rules are applicable when the appropriation, use or disclosure of trade secrets is done without the consent of the trade secret holder and through the use of dishonest means, breach of law or breach of contract, for example, by hacking, theft of documents or bribery.