As European courts see increased trade secret enforcement activity, particularly in industries like semiconductors, AI, and automotive, the strategic interplay between patent and trade secret protection is evolving. This session will explore the practical and legal considerations that drive trade secret litigation, and how these disputes intersect with patent strategies, particularly in cross-border contexts. Panellists will discuss how European companies are learning from U.S. trade secret practice and how this is shaping enforcement choices, litigation posture, and IP portfolio structuring.
• Examine key differences in procedural tools and evidentiary requirements for trade secret litigation across Europe and the U.S.
• Explore how businesses decide between trade secret protection and patenting in fast-moving sectors like AI, mobility and software.
• Discuss coordination of parallel patent and trade secret disputes, including cross-border enforcement challenges and forum selection strategies.