Trade secrets
Trade secret covers all confidential information that constitutes substantial know-how and is a source of commercial value. It constitutes strategic assets, in particular in a competitive environment. While intellectual property rights represent the tip of the iceberg, trade secret exploitation often depends on know-how that is kept confidential.
Trade secrets: conditions
Any information is protected as a trade secret if:
- It is not generally known or easily accessible to people familiar with this type of information due to their sector of activity;
- It has actual or potential commercial value because of its confidentiality;
- It is subject to reasonable measures by its legitimate holder to keep it secret.
Trade secrets: why?
The protection of trade secrets addresses multiple issues:
- preservation of competitive advantage;
- protection of R&D investments;
- securing intangible assets;
- enhancing the value of information assets.
In a context of digital transformation and increased talent mobility, protecting trade secrets is crucial.
Whether it concerns industrial processes, formulas and recipes, algorithms, customer data or commercial strategies, know-how is exposed to significant risks: departure of key employees, industrial espionage, cyberattacks, or even accidental disclosures.
Protecting trade secrets is essential to preserve know-how and strategic information from the risks of disclosure or unlawful appropriation.
Trade secrets: how to protect them?
We assist you to protect your trade secrets, at every stage:
- identification of confidential information;
- implementation of legal and technical measures to secure access to sensitive information;
- management of relationships with your partners and subcontractors: drafting and negotiating non-disclosure agreements;
- prevention of information leaks related to employee departures;
- implementation of measures, including emergency measures, in the event of a breach of trade secret.
Trade secrets and AI
Artificial intelligence presents a major risk for the protection of trade secrets, particularly due to its unregulated use by employees and/or partners. Protecting know-how and sensitive data requires increased attention in regulating the internal use of AI, implementing appropriate processes, and securing the tools deployed within the company.
We assist you in assessing the risks associated with AI, drafting an AI charter, training your teams about the use of AI, and protecting trade secrets.
The role of the lawyer in trade secrets
Advisory & Strategy
We advise you on identifying your strategic data, classifying information according to its level of sensitivity, implementing a trade secret protection policy, recommending legal and technical measures, training your teams, and the strategy to adopt in the event of a suspected leak.
Contracts & Valuation
We assist you in negotiating and drafting non-disclosure agreements, non-competition and non-solicitation clauses in your contracts such as employment, partnership, service provision, R&D, licensing, technology transfer, subcontracting, manufacturing, distribution, and franchise agreements, as well as drafting internal AI charters.
Defence & Litigation
We defend your interests before the competent jurisdictions in disputes relating to the misappropriation of know-how, breaches of trade secrets or violations of confidentiality obligations, including in the event of seizures at your premises or those of third parties.