What:

- keeping secret a product, process, ingredient, part, and the like.

- generally only key employees are given access to trade secrets.

- all parties to whom trade secrets are shared, should be advised of the confidential nature of the disclosure and all should promise not to disclose to others.

Compare with patent

- if you patent the product or process, your product or process is revealed to the world and, after the patent expires, anyone may make, use, sell, or offer to sell your product or process.

- if your product or process cannot found out through reverse-engineering or analysis or equivalents thereof, you may wish to maintain it as a trade secret.

- if you think you have or may have a trade secret issue or matter, consult with an attorney.

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