How to best protect trade secrets – implications of the Directive (EU) 2016/943 of 8 June 2016 on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets)  The proper and timely protection of trade secrets as core corporate assets is key to a successful business. Leaks may lead to irreparable damage. Legal remedies do…

Immaterialgüterrechtliche Sonderansprüche Die zentralen Immaterialgüterrechtsgesetze (insbesondere UrhG, PatG, MSchG) gewähren demjenigen, dessen Immaterialgüterrechte verletzt wurden, neben Unterlassungs- und Beseitigungsansprüchen auch besondere bereicherungs- und schadenersatzrechtliche Ansprüche, die teilweise erheblich vom allgemeinen Zivilrecht abweichen und den Rechtsschutz verbessern sollen. Im Einzelnen hat der Verletzte die folgenden geldwerten Ansprüche:  Anspruch auf angemessene Lizenzgebühr Derjenige, dessen Immaterialgüterrecht unbefugt benutzt…

On 16 May 2017, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) issued a binding opinion relating to the competence of the EU to independently sign and conclude the free trade agreement with the Republic of Singapore (“EU-Singapore FTA”). The opinion dealing with the EU-Singapore FTA is of outmost importance since this agreement is…

Recent amendments to the Austrian Anti-Trust Act in May 2017 aim to enhance private enforcement. What has changed? In short: Improved access to confidential information for claimants / new disclosure rules Presumption that the cartel caused harm Passing-on defence effective / preferential treatment for claims from indirect purchasers, Longer limitation period. For more, please click…

If employees make mistakes, to what extent is the managing director liable for the consequences? Under general principles of Austrian law, if the victim (here: the GmbH) of a culpable act also acted negligently, this will proportionally reduce the damages for which the tortfeasor (here: the managing director) can be held liable.  The fall-back rule…