Trade Secrets & Confidential Information - Practical Protection Strategies Explored

Introduction

Some features are better protected with patents, while others are more suited to being kept out of the public domain and maintained 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 the trade secret holder must have taken reasonable steps to protect and maintain that secrecy.

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 course is suitable for:

• 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.

What You Will Learn

The webinar will cover the following:

• 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 2018
• Trade secrets abroad:
• The TRIPS framework
• A brief look at EU, US and Chinese provisions

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Friday 11th December 2026

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 2,400+ others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.