A trade secret is a formula, practice, process, design, instrument, pattern, or compilation of information used by a business to obtain an advantage over competitors within the same industry or profession. In some jurisdictions, such secrets are referred to as "confidential information", while in others they are a subset or example of confidential information.
A company can protect its confidential information through non-compete non-disclosure contracts with its employees. The law of protection of confidential information effectively allows a perpetual monopoly in secret information - it does not expire as would a patent or trademark. The lack of formal protection, however, means that a third party is not prevented from independently duplicating and using the secret information once it is discovered.
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Trade Secrets - PBS investigative report by Bill Moyers about how human health and safety have been put at risk by the chemical industry. Includes documents obtained during a lawsuit against chemical companies. Advocates citizen action.
Meta Description: [ This site is the companion to the PBS documentary Trade
Secrets: A Bill Moyers report which explores a secret archive of the
chemical industry that document efforts of chemical companies to thwart the
public's right to know about the health implications of synthetic chemicals
like vinyl chlor... ]
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