<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> A trade secret is a formula, practice, process, design, instrument, pattern, commercial method, or compilation of information not generally known or reasonably ascertainable by others by which a business can obtain an economic advantage over competitors or customers . In some jurisdictions, such secrets are referred to as confidential information . </P> <P> The precise language by which a trade secret is defined varies by jurisdiction, as do the particular types of information that are subject to trade secret protection . Three factors are common to all such definitions: </P> <P> A trade secret is information that </P>

Trade secret protection is lost if another business discovers the trade secret in a lawful manner