Freedom of Information and Confidentiality in Scientific Communication

The present volume differs in nature from those preceding it in the series: it marks the beginning of a new "thematic" series with the intention of examining through comparative study some of the most important current problems regarding the juridical regulation of scientific research.
The first topic dealt with in this volume is the juridical regimen of scientific communication.
A first set of problems regards the safeguarding of the confidentiality among those engaged in research prior to the conclusion of the activity itself.
Even more serious are the problems generated by the increasingly extensive interpenetration of scientific research and economic activity.
A first in-depth survey dedicated to these themes has led to the elaboration of two basic research projects: one by Wladimiro Gasparri on the situation in Italy and France, and another by Mechtild Burzik on the situation in Germany. Furthermore, Rodney C. Austin illustrates tools for possible judicial safeguarding in the United Kingdom, while Alexander Blankenagel and Domenico Sorace offer some critical reflection on the theme.