It was published in the EU Official Journal of 15 June 2016 the Directive (EU) 2016/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 8 June, on the know-how protection and confidential information (trade secrets) against the acquisition, use and unlawful disclosures.Trade secrets are the form used by some companies to protect intellectual creation, are valued at the point of being used as a complement or as an alternative to industrial property rights.

The directive intend to make the harmonization between the various Member States about the protection afforded by the know-how and confidential information. The new legal law also aims to strengthen the currently existing protection for trade secrets, establishing a set of civil mechanisms, without jeopardizing fundamental rights and freedoms or the public interest, may prevent and punish illegal practices in this field.