Confidentiality and access to the file in UPC case law

Step: Standard for protecting confidential information

“To protect trade secrets, personal data or other confidential information, the Court may order that access to such information be restricted to specific persons (Art. 58 of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court, hereinafter: UPCA, and R. 262A RoP).“

Step: Persons with access (confidentiality club)

“Die Geheimhaltungsbedürftigkeit besteht jedoch nicht hinsichtlich Chainzone. Diese ist selbst Geheimnisträger. Gegen sie kann deshalb keine Geheimhaltungsanordnung ergehen.“

Step: Redactions and trade secrets

“The information classified as confidential in paragraphs I and II shall not be used or disclosed outside of these court proceedings, save for settlement discussions in respect of these proceedings between the parties“

Step: Access by third parties (R. 262.1(b))

“At the time of the impugned order, the proceedings had come to an end by a settlement. Ocado had not requested that certain information contained in the statement of claim should be excluded from public access for reasons of confidentiality or personal data protection. The balance of interest was therefore in favour …“

Step: Line of the Court of Appeal

“There is thus an adversarial phase where the judge-rapporteur consults the parties about the request. Next, the judge-rapporteur decides on access to written pleadings and evidence, which includes adjudication on the request, on personal data protection and on confidentiality. Decisions can be appealed“