Engaging and innovative, User Generated Law offers a new perspective on the study of intellectual property law. Shifting research away from the study of statutory law, contributions from leading scholars explore why and how self-regulation of intellectual property rights in a knowledge society emerges and develops. Analysing examples of self-regulation in the intellectual property law based industries, this book evaluates to what extent user generated law is an accurate model for explaining and understanding this process.

This book addresses the growing importance of trade secrets in today's society and business and the related increase in litigation, media and scholarly attention. Written by a team of international experts, it uses the new EU Trade Secrets Directive as a prism through which to discuss the complex legal issues involved. Featuring both EU and wider international perspectives, chapters examine the Directive's aim of harmonizing legislation on the protection of trade secrets across the EU, and discuss how this has been implemented by member states. Contributors also explore the effects of the...