Wirecard issued a claim against the Financial Times and one of its reporters last year in Munich alleging that a series of investigative news reports published in January and February 2019 constituted misuse of business secrets. Wirecard claimed that details of its internal investigation into alleged criminal acts by various staff members in Singapore, and of a preliminary report on the matter by its external lawyers, were protected information under the European 'trade secret' directive (Directive (EU) 2016/943), which is aimed at protecting undisclosed know-how and business information against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure. The FT and its journalist have filed what they believe is a strong defence to the lawsuit. The directive (which had not been implemented in German law when the articles were published) contains specific protections for investigative journalism and whistleblower activities. A court hearing set for January 27, 2020, was postponed at Wirecard's request.