In what is being called a landmark ruling for intellectual property nationwide, a Shanghai court recently issued the country's first ban on the circulation of trade secrets, according to the report from Legal Daily.

Eli Lilly and Company filed the lawsuit early in July with Shanghai No 1 Intermediate People's Court against a former employee surnamed Huang for violating the company's confidentiality agreement.

Huang was formerly an employee at a Chinese research center affiliated with the US drug company. During his contract period, he was legally obligated not to disclose confidential and proprietary information related to the company's marketing strategies to any individuals or organizations.