Seyfarth IP, International and Trade Secret Attorneys are participating in the ITechLaw 2014 European Conference in Paris, France this week.

ITechLaw is a not-for-profit organization established to inform and educate lawyers about the unique legal issues arising from the evolution, production, marketing, acquisition and use of information and communications technology.

Seyfarth partner Robert Milligan, an ITechLaw Member of the Board of Directors, will facilitate a discussion with some of the over 300 international attorneys in attendance on “Trade Secret Protections and Legislative Developments in the US and EU,” on Friday, October 17th.

Trade secrets and proprietary information are an often overlooked form of intellectual property in some countries or not considered intellectual property in others. Nevertheless, many companies derive tremendous value from such information, and litigation often ensues when misappropriation or breach occurs. Additionally, advances in technology continue to facilitate and encourage the proliferation of information.

The discussion will cover the latest developments in the United States and EU to enhance trade secret protections, including the proposed federal legislation to create a civil cause of action for trade secret misappropriation in federal court and the EU Directive to increase the trade secrets protections afforded to companies with operations in the EU which may greatly enhance cross-border certainty and uniformity across Europe.

The IP workshop will discuss the proposed legislation, the various interests involved, and the pros and cons of such legislation, its chances of success, and it will facilitate a lively discussion of the basic principles any legislation should contain. The discussion will also address whether increase protections for trade secrets will stifle creativity and employee mobility.

The outcome of the discussion will provide a critical assessment of trade secrets, how they are presently protected, and how the United States and Europe are proposing to increase protections for trade secrets, as well as a greater insight on the pros and cons of providing greater protections for trade secrets, while still promoting creativity and innovation.

For reference, please find a discussion paper prepared on these issues for the presentation.

Seyfarth will have a staffed table at the event, Seyfarth attorneys Ilan Barzilay, Ming Henderson, and Robert Milligan are scheduled to attend and participate. For more information, please click here.