Trade secrets are valuable intellectual property rights that protect confidential information acquired through purchase or licensing. Their value lies in their confidentiality, known only to a limited group, and the owner must take reasonable measures to maintain secrecy. Trade secrets encompass...

The existence of adequate numbers of self-employed persons is regarded as crucial for effective competition. The decline of self-employment which could be registered in all the Western industrialized countries has therefore given rise to concern. This article analyses the corresponding trends...