Protecting Business Know-How Before Starting a Business in Georgia

Business know-how may qualify as a trade secret in Georgia if it is not generally accessible, has economic value because it is secret, and is actually protected. Before starting a business, confidential technical and commercial information should be identified and secured through agreements and controlled access.

Tip

Trade secret protection requires specific secrets and protective measures that are actually implemented. Contracts alone are not enough, nor are technical controls without clear confidentiality obligations. Protection should be in place before co-founders, advisers, or business partners are given their first access.

Scope of trade secrets

Business information may qualify as a trade secret if it is not generally accessible, has economic value specifically because it is secret, and is actually protected. Before starting a business in Georgia, technical and commercial information should therefore be recorded individually, assessed, and assigned a clearly defined scope of secrecy.

Technical know-howBusiness Knowledge

Confidentiality

A confidentiality agreement requires business partners or members of a founding team to use designated know-how only for a specified purpose and not to disclose it without authorization. Before starting a business in Georgia, it should be signed before confidential technical or commercial information is disclosed.

Business partnersFounding Team

Access control

Organizational access controls limit confidential know-how to people who need it for a defined task and make access traceable. A company in Georgia should establish protection classes, roles, technical controls, and set procedures for granting, reviewing, and revoking permissions.