European companies are renowned for their innovation but this is put at risk by industrial espionage. Parliament and the Council have provisionally agreed new rules to better protect them. “The directive aims to protect innovation and creation in Europe,” said French EPP member Constance Le Grip, who led negotiations on behalf of Parliament. The deal was endorsed by the legal affairs committee on 28 January and it will now be up to all MEPs to vote on it. Watch the interview to find out more.
During the negotiations with the Council MEPs worked hard to ensure that journalists and whistle-blowers would be excluded from the scope of the directive. In addition the new rules will not create unjustified barriers for people who want to change jobs.
The directive will still need to be approved by the Council and by MEPs during a plenary session before it can enter into force.