Brussels, 18/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - The proposed directive to punish thefts of business secrets was the object of the benevolence of the members of the Parliamentary committee on the single market of the EP. However, this comes a little late to allow them to put this procedure to bed.
On Tuesday 18 March, the Commission presented the committee with its draft text which includes a definition of business secrets, illegal behaviour and safeguards in ruling on a case. The anticipated benefits of better protection for competitive advantages at cross-border level include the possibility to innovate, reinforce competitiveness and cross-border cooperation, said the representative of DG Single Market. A number of MEPs expressed their support for the proposal, but flagged up the lack of time for an in-depth debate within the committee under this term in office. Acknowledging the tightness of the timetable, the chair of the single market committee, Malcom Harbour (ECR, UK) nonetheless established that it was the responsibility of the Parliamentary committee on legal affairs, which is competent for the substance, to decide whether or not to continue the work. That committee will make its decision on Wednesday 19 March. (MD)