The Spanish Supreme Court’s Civil Chamber delivered a landmark ruling on September 9, overturning the long‑standing belief that the Business Secrets Act shields companies from disclosures by disloyal staff.
- Earlier lower‑court decisions – a commercial court and a provincial tribunal – had interpreted the law in favour of employers, allowing them to invoke secrecy to block former executives from speaking out.
- The Supreme Court’s cassation judgment rejected that view, stating the law cannot be used to cover up illegal or unethical conduct.
- Legal experts say this creates new jurisprudence, and future cases will follow the same precedent.
In short, business‑secret protection now has clear limits.