EU Trade Secrets, Trademark Measures Advance

The European Parliament and Luxembourg Presidency today agreed provisionally on EU-wide rules for the protection of trade secrets and confidential information, the Presidency announced.

The trade secrets announcement is available here.

The deal must now be confirmed by the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Council, which sources said is expected tomorrow, and then be voted on by the European Parliament next year.

The draft directive sets out rules against the unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure of trade secrets and is intended to have a deterrent effect against illegal disclosure of trade secrets, the Council said.

It also contains provisions ensuring that investigative journalists’ sources are protected; permits workers to use the experience and skills honestly acquired in one workplace when they change jobs; and protects “whistle-blowers” who reveal trade secrets for the purpose of safeguarding the general public interest. The deal also requires EU member states to put in place rules for giving owners of trade secrets civil redress for their misuse.

OHIM to EUIPO

In further action today, the European Parliament approved a trademark reform package that aims to make registration cheaper, quicker and more reliable, Parliament said (here, pdf).

The rules, informally agreed with the Council, will also allow the impoundments of counterfeit goods in transit through EU territory.

The legislation also makes some changes to the structure and governance of the office responsible for trademarks, which will now be called the “European Union Intellectual Property Office.”

 

Image Credits: OHIM