Posted on January 28, 2025
In June 2025, Anne-Marie Conn will be delivering an MBL Seminars Ltd Webinar on Trade Secrets & Confidential Information - Current Trends & More.
Some features are better protected with patents, while others should be held back from the public domain as trade secrets.
Generally, to qualify as a trade secret, information must be not generally known among or readily accessible to persons within the circles that normally deal with the kind of information in question, commercially valuable because it is secret and subject to reasonable steps, taken by its lawful holder, to keep it secret.
Specific jurisdictions have developed their own lines of law within this general framework.
To be sure of protecting and utilising IP more cost-effectively and to block competitors, businesses must be aware of the current legal framework in relevant jurisdictions; and must be prepared for the risks associated with a break-down in confidentiality.
This short webinar will provide up-to-date information, based on a review of recent trends in trade secret law, both in the UK and internationally.
This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Wednesday 18th June 2025.
Anne-Marie drafts and prosecutes patent applications; advises on and participates in post-grant procedures (particularly opposition proceedings at the European Patent Office); and advises on freedom to operate, patent portfolio management and intellectual property agreements. Her work spans several areas of chemistry and biochemistry.
Key points:
- The practicalities of trade secrets:
- What should be protected by patents, and what is better held back as a trade secret?
- How to minimise the risks of information becoming public
- How to maximise your chances of obtaining compensation if required. For businesses, taking reasonable steps to keep the information secret - including defining the information carefully, judicious NDA wording and containing the number of people to whom the information is disclosed - can be critical for achieving compensation in the event of litigation
- Trade secrets in the UK - common law and the Trade Secrets (Enforcement) Regulations (‘TSER’)
- Trade secrets abroad:
- The TRIPS framework
- An overview of EU, US and Chinese provisions
Intended audience:
- Patent/IP managers within businesses, seeking practical information on leveraging trade secrets alongside other forms of IP.
- IP solicitors and patent attorneys (in-house or private practice, and in any jurisdiction) looking to refresh their understanding in this area.
- Level - Intermediate.
For further information, or to register for the webinar, click here.
