Gurry on Breach of Confidence

Book excerpt: Francis Gurry's renowned work, Breach of Confidence, published in 1984, was groundbreaking and invaluable in the field of intellectual property as the first text to synthesise the then burgeoning case law on breach of confidence into a systematic form. A highly regarded book, it was the first point of resort for practitioners and a key source for judges. Aplin, Bently, Johnson and Malynicz bring us a new edition of this important work, which remains faithful to the original in its approach, but is fully updated in light of the developments since the first edition. The authors expand upon the original work, in particular adding new material on the history and current relevance of the action for breach of confidence, . The authors stress both the advantages and disadvantages of the action for breach of confidence and, like Gurry, they constantly distinguish the action from associated legislative regimes which regulate the access to, acquisition, use and disclosure of information. The book extensively references the many analyses of the data protection regime and considers also issues of jurisdiction and choice of applicable law. Bringing together their particular skills and interests, the three authors produce a fresh re-writing of a highly significant text which retains the academic quality and precision of the original and stakes its claim once more as the leading authority in the field.