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IRELAND

Since June 2016
Since June 2018

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Effective protection covering trade secrets
Directive (EU) 2016/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets)

S.I. No. 188 of 2018 – European Union (Protection of Trade Secrets) Regulations 2018
The Directive 2016/943 on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets) is key in harmonising national laws concerning trade secrets. Ireland transposed the Directive through the European Union (Protection of Trade Secrets) Regulations 2018.
Coverage Horizontal
"SELECT DISTINCT(post_id) FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'score' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'IE')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.1') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.2') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.3')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
[{"post_id":"82098"},{"post_id":"82099"},{"post_id":"82100"}]
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'impact' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'IE')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.1') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.2')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'score' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'IE')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.3')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
ITA: [{"meta_value":"EU"}]

IRELAND

ITA signatory? I II

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
0.98%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
79.11%
Coverage: ICT goods

IRELAND

Since March 2004, last amended in February 2014
Since June 2016

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Utilities Directive (2014/25/EU)

S.I. No. 286/2016 - European Union (Award of Contracts by Utility Undertakings) Regulations 2016
Art. 85 of the Utilities Directive (2014/25/EU) contains provisions allowing contracting public entities to reject foreign goods not covered by any EU international commitments from its tender procedures. In these cases, a tender submitted for the award of a supply contract may be rejected where the proportion of the products originating in third countries exceeds 50% of the total value of the products constituting the tender (Art. 85.2). Additionally, in cases of equivalent offers, the provisions provide for a preference for European tenders and tenders covered by EU's international obligations. In practice, this possibility has rarely been used.
In 2016, the Directive has been transposed with the Law S.I. No. 286/2016 - European Union (Award of Contracts by Utility Undertakings) Regulations 2016.
Coverage Any product sold to a utility provider including software used in telecommunication network equipment

IRELAND

Since December 2014

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Companies Act 2014
Irish law allows foreign companies to operate in the country after registration under the Companies Act 2014. Any foreign incorporated company establishing a branch in Ireland is required to file certain documents with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). It is reported that any foreign company with a branch in Ireland has the same standing under Irish law for contract purposes as a domestic company incorporated in Ireland. In addition, it is reported that there are currently no general restrictions governing FDI in Ireland, no limits on the percentage of foreign ownership permitted, no requirement that Irish nationals must hold shares in Irish companies, and no restrictions on the purchase of land for industrial purposes by foreigners.
Coverage Horizontal

IRELAND

Since December 2014

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Indicator Nationality/residency requirement for directors or managers
Companies Act 2014
Section 137 of the Companies Act 2014 states that every Irish company must have at least one director who is resident in the European Economic Area (EEA) unless either:
- The company has filed a non-resident bond to the value of EUR 25,000 with the Companies Registration Office;
- The company holds a certificate from the Companies Registration Office confirming that the company has a real and continuous link with one or more economic activities in Ireland.
Coverage Horizontal

IRELAND

Since August 1992

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Ireland is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Coverage Horizontal

IRELAND

Since May 2001
Since July 2000

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Copyright law with clear exceptions
Directive 2001/29/EC

Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000
Directive 2001/29/EC defines an optional but exhaustive set of limitations from the author´s exclusive rights under the control of the “three-step test” in line with the Berne Convention that establishes three cumulative conditions to the limitations and exceptions of a copyright holder’s rights. The Directive has been transposed by Member States with significant freedom.
Ireland has a clear regime of copyright exceptions that follows the fair dealing model, allowing others to make lawful use of copyrighted works without obtaining permission. The Copyright and Related Rights Act of 2000 specifies that no copyright infringement occurs in several instances, including fair dealing for research or private study, as well as fair dealing for criticism, review, or news reporting.
Coverage Horizontal

IRELAND

Since March 2010

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Copyright Treaty
WIPO Copyright Treaty
The European Union and Ireland have adopted the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty. The treaty was ratified on 14 December 2009 and came into effect on 14 March 2010.
Coverage Horizontal

IRELAND

Since March 2010

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
The European Union and Ireland have adopted the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty. The treaty was ratified on 14 December 2009 and came into effect on 14 March 2010.
Coverage Horizontal

GREECE

Since August 2011, last amended in 2021

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Restrictions on domain names
Law 4002/2011 on Amendment of the State Pension Legislation - Arrangements for Growth and Fiscal Consolidation - Issues of Responsibility of the Ministries of Finance, Culture and Tourism, and Labour and Social Security (Νόμος 4002/2011 Τροποποίηση της συνταξιοδοτικής νομοθεσίας του Δημοσίου - Ρυθμίσεις για την ανάπτυξη και τη δημοσιονομική εξυγίανση - Θέματα αρμοδιότητας Υπουργείων Οικονομικών, Πολιτισμού και Τουρισμού και Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης)
Art. 46 of Law 4002/2011 requires that gambling sites operating in Greece have a ".gr" domain name.
Coverage Gambling sector

GREECE

Since June 2014
Since November 1994

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Framework for consumer protection applicable to online commerce
Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EU

Law No. 2251/1994 on the Protection of Consumers (Νομος υπ' αριθ 2251/1994 Προστασία των καταναλωτών)
The Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EU provides an updated framework aimed at encouraging online sales. The Directive has been implemented by Law 2251/1994 on the Protection of Consumers. The law contains provisions about terms of contract, distance selling, liability, and unfair trade practices, among other things.
Coverage Horizontal

GREECE

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Lack of signature of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Greece has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.
Coverage Horizontal

GREECE

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Greece has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal

GREECE

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Greece has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal

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