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Directive (EU) 2016/943 Article 2

Definitions

Article 2

For the purposes of this Directive, the following definitions apply: (1) ‘trade secret’ means information which meets all of the following requirements: (a) it is secret in the sense that it is not, as a body or in the precise configuration and assembly of its components, generally known among or readily accessible to persons within the circles that normally deal with the kind of information in question; (b) it has commercial value because it is secret; (c) it has been subject to reasonable steps under the circumstances, by the person lawfully in control of the information, to keep it secret; (2) ‘trade secret holder’ means any natural or legal person lawfully controlling a trade secret; (3) ‘infringer’ means any natural or legal person who has unlawfully acquired, used or disclosed a trade secret; (4) ‘infringing goods’ means goods, the design, characteristics, functioning, production process or marketing of which significantly benefits from trade secrets unlawfully acquired, used or disclosed.

Read the full instrument → · Read this in context: CHAPTER I — Subject matter and scope →

Other provisions in CHAPTER I — Subject matter and scope

Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗ · Data as of 2026-07-04

CitationArticle 2 of Directive (EU) 2016/943 (LawPlayer, data as of 2026-07-04)

© European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu, 1998-2026. Reuse authorised under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU, provided the source is acknowledged.

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