- What could be considered as business secrets from an Estonian legal point of view is listed in § 63 of the Competition Act (konkurentsiseadus) and includes: Technical and financial know-how; Methods of calculation of costs; Production secrets and processes; Sources of supply; Volumes of sales and market shares; Clients, distributors; Marketing plans; Price structures and sales strategies, continued Triinu.

- Preventing business secrets from being leaked by employees requires a written and duly signed confidentiality obligation, specifying the business secrets, what is prohibited in this respect, as well as remedies at hand. It should be mentioned that a confidentiality obligation also should be drawn up with the company’s board members.

- Unfair competition practices, generally described as dishonest business practices, and acts that contradict good morals and practices, are prohibited. More specifically, unfair competition practices include: Disparagement of a competitor or the goods of the competitor; Misuse of confidential information; and Misuse of an employee or representative of a competitor.

The subject for this Business Seminar is indeed complex and wide, and Triinu got a lot of questions throughout her insightful presentation of the legislation and factual court cases. Triinu’s presentation is available online at www.swedishchamber.ee.

On behalf of the SCCE Council I would like to thank Triinu Hiob for a very interesting presentation and an inspiring discussion. My thanks also go to the German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce for a close and very good cooperation in arranging our joint Business Seminar.

Sincerely,

Kristiina Sikk
SCCE Ombudsman