Proposal for new rules in the Trade Secrets Act

The protection of trade secrets of companies and research institutions needs to be strengthened, and the draft proposes more comprehensive criminal liability for attacks on 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 draft 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 use or disclose the trade secret. The criminalisation applies to technical trade secrets, i.e. those trade secrets that are most important for technological development and industry.

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

Read more here.