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Protection of trade secrets in Colombia

Details

Publication date
1 July 2022 (Last updated on: 1 July 2022)
Author
European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency
Country
Colombia
Publication type
  • Case study

Description

A+B, a Spanish SME, developed a new dating app that promises to match its users with their significant other with 99 % accuracy. The app has been a huge success in the European market, mostly due to the algorithm designed by in-house software engineers. Considering the importance of the algorithm, only a few members of the managing staff had the entire code. 

The company decided to expand their business and started contacting developers in Colombia. Pedro was the best suited for being their first employee in the country, and A+B sent him a technical assessment, which included the entire algorithm along with a confidentiality clause. Unfortunately, Pedro didn’t perform as expected. 

Later on, A+B learned that Pedro had started his own app, called “Cupid”. When reviewing the app, the European company found out that he was using the previously designed code developed by A+B.

Files

  • 1 JULY 2022
Case Study - Protection of trade secrets in Colombia