China Law Key Words · Intellectual Property
Trade Secrets
Protecting confidential business information in China—reasonable secrecy measures, employee and supplier controls, and misappropriation enforcement.
- Protect secrecy systems
- People exit controls
- Prove misappropriation
- Counsel directory
What trade secrets practice covers
Systems first, lawsuits second
What counts as a secret
Technical and commercial information with economic value and secrecy measures.
Reasonable measures
Access control, marking, NDAs, and need-to-know design.
Employees & suppliers
Onboarding, exit interviews, and third-party manufacturing risks.
Misappropriation claims
Civil, administrative, and criminal interfaces for serious theft.
Start with these guides
Flagship explainers and practical orientation
Trade secrets legal framework
Protection and enforcement orientation in China.
Read guide →OverviewChina IP law guide
How trade secrets sit beside patents and trademarks.
Open →RelatedPatents
When to patent vs keep secret.
Open →RelatedUnfair competition
Complementary theories for market misconduct.
Open →ParentIP keyword hub
Full intellectual property centre.
Open →HREmployment & labor
Employee confidentiality and exit issues.
Open →Secrecy measures that courts recognise
If everything is secret, nothing is
- Inventory crown-jewel information Formulas, customer lists, process parameters, source code.
- Mark and compartmentalise access Logs beat slogans.
- Use role-based NDAs and training Generic handbook clauses are often weak alone.
- Control supplier drawings and tooling Factory leakage is a classic vector.
- Run structured exit protocols Device return, access kill, and reminder letters.
- Preserve forensic evidence quickly Delay destroys misappropriation cases.
Related topics & directories
Continue into neighbouring practice areas
Frequently asked questions
Orientation only—not legal advice
Do we need registration for trade secrets?
No registration system like trademarks. Protection depends on secrecy measures and proof of misappropriation.
Can we stop an ex-employee joining a competitor?
Non-competes and confidentiality are different tools with different limits. Structure carefully under employment rules.
Is reverse engineering always illegal?
Not always. Misappropriation theories depend on how information was obtained and protected.
When do we need counsel urgently?
Suspected data exfiltration or supplier leakage. Use the trade secrets lawyer directory immediately.
Need trade secrets counsel?
Engage verified IP lawyers or start with the trade secrets framework guide.
Directory and legal information only—not legal advice. No attorney–client relationship is formed by using this site. Rules and thresholds change; verify current requirements for your facts and jurisdiction.
Guides & articles
Practical writing from counsel and the portal editorial team on this topic