Protection of Trade Secrets in Taiwan:Challenges and Breakthrough

從實體法層面來看，營業秘密保護所遇到困境可分為三個面向，亦即構成營業秘密之保護客體、違反侵害營業秘密之行為態樣，與不法侵害營業秘密行為人之責任。首先，營業秘密之構成要件，多為不確定之法律概念，且機密資訊是否受營業秘密法之保護必須個案事實認定，故本研究從美國個案及學說對於營業秘密認定之討論，冀以提供我國實務之參考借鏡。第二，以美國統一營業秘密法以及經濟間諜法規定，比較我國營業秘密法第10條及新增訂之刑事侵害行為，探討應規範之不法之侵害行為態樣。最後，探討事業以違反商業倫理手段，竊用競爭對手營業秘密所負之責任。違法事業並非負有間接侵權責任，而是為自己故意不法使用、洩漏他人營業秘密之行為，負有直接侵權責任。本研究由以上三面向之討論，以建構不法侵害營業秘密行為人之責任，藉此完善營業秘密之保護。From perspective of substantive law, the difficulties for trade secret protection can be viewed from three aspects, that is, a trade secret subject matter, trade secret misappropriation, and liability of the perpetrator for trade secret infringement. First of all, elements of trade secrets are indefinite legal concepts. Moreover, whether information is qualified as a “trade secret” by courts is a question of fact. This thesis begins with a discussion of cases and legal theories in U.S in an attempt to provide as references of our practice. Secondly, it compares the Economic Espionage Act and the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, with Trade Secret Act amended in 2013 to impose criminal liability to trade secret infringement. Thus we can understand what kind of violations should regulate in the statutory law. Finally, it also discusses the liability for wrongfully perpetrating corporate competitor’s trade secrets. Illegal business who encourages or entices another to misappropriate other’s trade secrets, and then profits from the use, can be viewed as a primary wrongdoer, and is directly liable, not secondarily liable, for unlawful use. Through the discussion mentioned above, the purpose of the thesis is to construct responsibilities of theft of trade secret, and thereby to improve trade secret protection