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European Union
Directive (EU) 2016/943
Chapter I
Article 2
(2)

Directive (EU) 2016/943

In forceThis text since 15 Jun 2016law://eu/dir/2016/943/art_2__pnt_2@2026-11-10

Version in force onWhereEuropean Union

Contents

(1) ‘trade secret’ means information which meets all of the fo…
(2) ‘trade secret holder’ means any natural or legal person la…
(3) ‘infringer’ means any natural or legal person who has unla…
(4) ‘infringing goods’ means goods, the design, characteristic…

Contents

(1) ‘trade secret’ means information which meets all of the fo…
(2) ‘trade secret holder’ means any natural or legal person la…
(3) ‘infringer’ means any natural or legal person who has unla…
(4) ‘infringing goods’ means goods, the design, characteristic…

(2)‘trade secret holder’ means any natural or legal person lawfully controlling a trade secret;

Source: EUR-Lex, © European Union, 1998-2026. Reuse authorised under Decision 2011/833/EU.

Key facts

Type: Directive · (EU) 2016/943 · EEA relevant
Adopted: 8 Jun 2016
In force: 5 Jul 2016
Made by: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Official: EUR-Lex 32016L0943 · ELI

Topics

confidentiality data protection disclosure of information industrial secret innovation intellectual capital intellectual property judicial proceedings know-how trade information Intellectual, industrial and commercial property

History · 1 version

15 Jun 2016Reading

Connections

Implemented by 1: The Trade Secrets (Enforcement, etc.) Regulations 2018
Cited by 13: Directive (EU) 2024/17605 provisions; Directive (EU) 2024/28532 provisions; Directive (EU) 2022/2464; CK v Magistrat der Stadt Wien (C-203/22)3 provisions; Directive (EU) 2026/470; Regulation (EU) 2023/2854 (Data Act)3 provisions; Directive (EU) 2026/799; Regulation (EU) 2026/697; Regulation (EU) 2025/26452 provisions; Regulation (EU) 2025/2518; Regulation (EU) 2025/2509; Regulation (EU) 2024/17873 provisions; Antea Polsk S.A., 'Pectore-Eco'' sp. z o.o., Instytut Ochrony Środowiska - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy v Państwowe Gospodarstwo Wodne Wody Polskie (C-54/21)

Defined terms · 4

Show every defined term

infringer
means any natural or legal person who has unlawfully acquired, used or disclosed a trade secret;
infringing goods
means goods, the design, characteristics, functioning, production process or marketing of which significantly benefits from trade secrets unlawfully acquired, used or disclosed.
trade secret
means information which meets all of the following requirements:
trade secret holder
means any natural or legal person lawfully controlling a trade secret;

eu/dir/2016/943