liikesalaisuussäädökset

Liikesalaisuussäädökset, often translated as trade secret regulations, are legal provisions designed to protect confidential business information that provides a competitive edge. These regulations aim to prevent the unauthorized acquisition, use, or disclosure of such information. The specific scope and enforcement of these laws vary by jurisdiction, but generally, a trade secret must be information that is not generally known or readily ascertainable by proper means, has commercial value because it is secret, and for which reasonable steps have been taken to maintain its secrecy.

In Finland, for example, the Act on Trade Secrets (liikesalaisuuslaki) provides the primary legal framework. This law defines a trade secret broadly to include not only technical information like formulas and manufacturing processes but also commercial information such as customer lists, pricing strategies, and marketing plans. Protection is afforded against misappropriation, which can occur through unauthorized access, copying, or disclosure. Remedies for trade secret infringement typically include injunctive relief, damages, and in some cases, criminal penalties. The core principle is to balance the protection of valuable business intelligence with the public interest in fair competition and the free flow of information.