Government bill – More comprehensive criminal liability for unauthorized misappropriation of trade secrets

The protection of trade secrets held by companies and research institutions needs to be strengthened. In the bill, the Government proposes more comprehensive criminal liability for unauthorized misappropriation of trade secrets. The proposal contributes to better conditions for entrepreneurship, technological development and increased competitiveness.

Furthermore, the proposal aims to address the threat that industrial espionage poses to Swedish industry and Swedish society.

The proposal is that it should also be a criminal offence for anyone who has lawful access to a trade secret, e.g. through their employment, to unlawfully exploit or disclose the trade secret. The criminalisation applies to technical trade secrets, i.e. trade secrets that are most important for technical development, innovation and industry.

The legislative amendments are proposed to enter into force on 1 January 2026.

Read more here (in Swedish).