從預防法學淺論企業營業秘密之保障

Preventive Jurisprudence on Corporate Trade Secret Protection

在技術推陳出新及業務範疇不斷擴大下，營業秘密於當代企業資訊資產所占之比重及價值亦持續提升，儘管已有愈來愈多的企業體認善加保護營業秘密之必要，但多數對於如何妥適維護自身營業秘密並解決肇因營業秘密而生之各類爭端，仍處於摸索階段。企業面對法律問題直覺反應多是透過訴訟方式加以解決，然而傳統訴訟程序不必然為企業風險控制上之最佳選擇，除接受並嘗試解決風險外，還包括透過預防方式降低風險甚或避免風險之可能。特別是針對營業秘密維護上至關重要的「合理保護措施」，實可結合「預防法學」與「企業風險管理」概念，主動針對可能衍生的法律問題進行預測與研判，並透過適當管理策略從而事前避免爭端之發生。本文認為建立專責部門、確認及具體劃定管理範圍、建立人員管理機制、建立風險偵測機制以及建立檢查與管理系統等步驟，實為落實營業秘密保護措施風險管理架構與具體措施之關鍵，透過管理架構與具體策略之提出，俾利國內企業強化其營業秘密保護工作。

Trade secrets are widely used by businesses around the world to protect their know-how and other commercially valuable information and thereby promote competitiveness and innovation. Studies show the significance of trade secrets, even more important than patents and other forms of intellectual property. But most businesses are not taking basic steps to preserve their trade secrets, reflecting a disconnect between the level of importance that corporate executives place on trade secrets and what their companies are actually doing to protect them. To mitigate the significant risks and costs of trade secret theft, businesses should proactively implement a range of best practices to secure their trade secrets. When considering the necessary taking reasonable measures to maintain trade secrets, this article suggests businesses combining the concept of “Preventive Law” and “Enterprise Risk Management” and taking practical steps to counter internal and external threats, including: 1. Establishment of specialist departments such as Risk Management Committee; 2. Establish an internal trade secrets policy that identifies what information the enterprise deems confidential; 3. Establish personnel management mechanism; 4. Establish risk detection mechanism; and 5. Establish risk audit and necessary management mechanism. By implementing the steps, businesses can better protect their most valuable intangible assets