It is not clear why copyrights were excluded from the list of property that may be hypothecated to secure an obligation. Judicial interpretation is also called for to determine whether the word patents in Art. 2684 includes registered industrial designs and whether trademarks is restricted to registered , as opposed to common law, trademarks. On its face, Art. 2684 does not extend to pending applications for the issuance of a patent or for the registration of a trademark.
Trade secrets are the object of two novel provisions which promise to attract much attention.
However, pursuant to Art. In its official commentary to the Code, the Ministry of Justice cites as hypothetical examples of the successful invocation of Art. 1472, disclosures concerning a cure for cancer or the AIDS virus, or a corporate whistle-blower's revelation about the dangerous effects of a product available to the public. 56 also enables the spouse and close relatives of a person whose name is wrongfully used to object to such use and demand redress for the damage caused. Finally, licensors of trademark rights should note that under Art.