Trade secrets as a complementary tool to patenting in the data economy of the 21st century

Tools

Radauer, Alfred; Bader, Martin A.; Aplin, Tanya; Konopka, Ute; Searle, Nicola; Altenburger, Reinhard and Bachner, Christine. 2025. Trade secrets as a complementary tool to patenting in the data economy of the 21st century. In: Nikolaus Thumm and Knut Blind, eds. A Modern Guide to Patents: Challenges of Patenting in the 21st Century Elgar Modern Guides. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 117-139. ISBN 9781035308590 [Book Section]

No full text available

Official URL: https://www.elgaronline.com/edcollchap/book/978103...

Abstract or Description

This book chapter addresses the challenge of protecting data in the evolving data economy, focusing on trade secrets as a complementary tool to patents. It examines the impact of the growing importance of data on patenting practices, including licensing, and suggests that the traditional legal system may need to be adapted to accommodate new forms of intellectual property. The chapter argues for incremental changes rather than a complete overhaul of the intellectual property protection system, predicting that trade secrets will play a significant role in 21st-century patenting by providing protection for a broader range of intellectual assets. Recommendations for modernizing intellectual property protection are given.

Item Type:

Book Section

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035308606