Industrial espionage is in the search for information on research, inventions, manufacturing processes and business strategies of industrial companies. Practiced for a long time this activity was sanctioned only once on a professional level, by the criminalization of trade secrets *. It can also always give rise to a claim for unfair competition. Due to its social cost higher and higher, industrial espionage is now suppressed by special legislation (Act of July 26, 1968, revised July 16, 1980).
Act of July 16, 1980. It gave the new text entitled: An Act relating to disclosure of documents and information of economic nature, commercial, industrial, financial or technical assistance to individuals and legal entities.
Figures shocks exclusive report GR
1 of 4 business is a victim of economic intelligence actions. The figure comes from a survey of 1600 companies.
1 victim in 10 comes from the automotive sector. Other sectors with high risk: aeronautics, metallurgy steel and telecommunications and robotics, or industrial areas where France is leading.
1 company hit on 3 and is vulnerable financially. Takeover by foreigners or by competition, financial difficulties, predominantly a customer or supplier are the main weaknesses identified by the RG.
1 of 6 dishonesty is committed by a person on the premises but outside the firm: trainee foreign researcher, member of a foreign delegation, etc
3 of 4 hostile actions are sponsored by foreign countries. The most active are the United States (16% of attacks) and China (15%), followed by EU countries and Russia. India remains far behind.