{"id":10993,"date":"2023-05-11T18:13:30","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T22:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/?p=10993"},"modified":"2023-05-11T18:13:30","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T22:13:30","slug":"patent-protection-vs-trade-secret","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/?p=10993","title":{"rendered":"Patent Protection vs. Trade Secret Protection"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9780 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/iStock-1160135293-1024x576-1.jpg\" alt=\"Man and woman in meeting reviewing document\" width=\"970\" height=\"546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/iStock-1160135293-1024x576-1.jpg 970w, https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/iStock-1160135293-1024x576-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/iStock-1160135293-1024x576-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 970px) 100vw, 970px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patent Protection vs. Trade Secret Protection.<\/span><\/h2>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prepared by Patent Attorney <a href=\"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/attorneys\/kathleen-kuznicki\/\">Kathleen Kuznicki<\/a>.<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW185773521 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW185773521 BCX0\">Patents and trade secrets both protect their <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW185773521 BCX0\">owners<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW185773521 BCX0\">, but they do so in different ways. While at first glance they seem similar, everything from the process of obtaining them to your legal protections is different between the two.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW185773521 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is Patent Protection?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Generally, patent protection is the exclusive right to an invention. An invention includes but is not limited to, a:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Product<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Process<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Method of making or method of performing a function<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Or improvements thereof<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When you file for a patent application, you will have to disclose details of the invention to the public. Once someone is issued a patent, they have the right to exclude others from producing, selling, or offering for sale the claimed invention disclosed in the patent. An issued patent allows the applicant or the assignee of the patent to pursue an infringement action against someone who copies the claimed invention and makes, uses, sells, or offers for sale the claimed invention without their permission.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Patents are valid for the country in which they\u2019re granted. For example, if someone applies for, and obtains, a U.S. patent, it applies only in that territory.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">Say for instance, you invented a new kind of zipper and wanted to patent the technology. The process would include filing a patent application, which would consist <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">of a detailed description and drawings of the new zipper that you are disclosing<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">, as well claims that cover <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">the <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">components<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\"> or features of your <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">new <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">zipper<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">.<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">After your patent application publishes, theoretically this puts the world <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">on notice about your inventive design and<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\"> this <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">should <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">protect you from other manufacturers creating and profiting off your <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">claimed <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">zipper design without<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\"> a license<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">while the application is pending and<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">if the patent issues<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">,<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">until the patent expires<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW48085418 BCX0\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW48085418 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is Trade Secret Protection?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Trade secret protection applies to valuable information because it is unknown to the general public. Generally, trade secrets include information that gives companies or parties an economic edge in their industry. It has value because it is guarded, and the information being publicly known could cause economic loss for the individuals with the secret.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To be a trade secret, the information should:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Be known by a select few<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Should be kept confidential because it has economic value<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Be protected by the party holding the knowledge<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Trade secret protection could apply to a secret recipe, manufacturing process, software\/algorithm, or even client lists and strategy.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Trade secret protection protects the holder in the event of a breach of contract, or a misappropriation. For example, if you possess a trade secret on a family recipe for lemon bars, and an employee took the recipe and started their own company, you could hypothetically have grounds for litigation action against them. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patent Protection vs. Trade Secret Protection<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Differences You Need to Know.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW208853039 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW208853039 BCX0\">With a general overview of trade secrets and patents, here\u2019s how the two differ.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW208853039 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">patent <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">could be applied to a:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u200b\u200bNew and useful device,\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Machine<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Manufactured article<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Composition of matter<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Method or process<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">System\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or any useful improvement thereof.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">trade secret <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">generally boils down to:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Formulas<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Prototypes<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Methods<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Processes<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Know-how<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Customer lists<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">and any other proprietary information that gives an economic advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW188023515 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW188023515 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 3\">Length of Time of Protection<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Patents <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">generally last 20 years, or 21 if the patent holder files for a provisional patent.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Trade secrets <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">are indefinite, as long as the information is kept under wraps. Once it enters the public domain, it\u2019s no longer protected.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Filing with Government<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:320,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Patents <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">require an application process with the government, which can be lengthy. Something isn\u2019t officially protected until the patent is issued.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Trade secrets <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">require no formal application process with the government. For trade secret protection to apply, you need only to take reasonable steps to keep the information a secret.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Confidentiality\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:320,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Information for a <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">patent<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> should be kept confidential until the 18-month publication date. That\u2019s because the patent application will disclose the information that makes the item or process unique. In applying for a patent, the applicant discloses the process or designs of their claimed invention.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On the other hand, <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">trade secrets <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hinge on complete confidentiality. Files and documents including trade secret information will always be marked confidential or trade secret. Only people with access to the information should sign an NDA or other confidentiality agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Requirement<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:320,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For something to be <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">patented<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, it must be deemed \u201cnovel\u201d and not obvious to a \u201cperson having ordinary skill in the art\u201d (PHOSITA). If someone else in the field or specialty not associated with the patent could draw a similar conclusion, it\u2019s unlikely a patent will be granted.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Similarly, a <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">trade secret <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">can\u2019t be known information in a field. It needs to be widely unknown and valuable in the fact that it\u2019s unknown to be considered a trade secret.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Reverse Engineering<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:320,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If a competing party were to reverse engineer a technology or device that\u2019s <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">patented<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, the patent holder would have legal protection. In theory, the patent holder could prevent a competitor from producing the same item.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But, if a competitor reverse-engineered a <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">trade secret<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, the holders of the secret don\u2019t have legal protection. The competitors didn\u2019t violate an NDA to figure out the formula or process.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Independent Discovery<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:320,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It sounds serendipitous, but independent discovery is when multiple parties make the same discovery, whether using the same or different means.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the case of <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">patents<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, whoever is granted a patent first is protected, even if someone else comes to the same invention or formula independently down the line.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">However, the same does not apply to <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">trade secrets<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. If someone else comes to the same conclusion as the trade secret holder honestly, there\u2019s no protection.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Violation<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:320,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A violation of a <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">patent<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> hinges on infringement, which means the making, using, selling, offering for sale, or importing into the country the invention disclosed in patent claims.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\"> Meanwhile, a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0violation of a <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">trade secret<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> deals mostly in misappropriation, when an employee, former employees, hackers, scammers, or espionage leads to another party getting the secret.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Enforcement\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:320,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Both violations of trade secrets and patents are litigated in court.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Infringement litigation for <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">patents <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">takes place in Federal court.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Misappropriation litigation for <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">trade secrets <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">can occur in both State and Federal courts. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Remedies\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:320,&quot;335559739&quot;:80,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When a <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">patent holder <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">takes legal action against infringement, they can seek injunctive relief, including:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Monetary damages (complex can be based on a reasonable royalty, overall sales, sales attributable to invention)\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Treble damages (triple the amount of monetary damages)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Attorney\u2019s fees (if the infringement is found to be willful)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When a <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">trade secret holder <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">takes action against misappropriation, they can seek injunctive relief, including:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Monetary damages<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Attorney\u2019s fees (in some cases)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Trade secrets and patents both aim to protect those who own them. However, they do so in different ways, and apply to different instances. Generally, the process around patents is more formalized. However, trade secrets, as long as properly shielded, also offer layers of protection to their holder, and may apply to different types of information than a patent.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/attorneys\/kathleen-kuznicki\/\">Kathleen Kuznicki <\/a>is a Patent Attorney for The Lynch Law Group. For any questions about how to protect your intellectual property, call her office at (724) 246-6067.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Patent Protection vs. Trade Secret Protection. Prepared by Patent Attorney Kathleen Kuznicki. Patents and trade secrets both protect their owners, but they do so in different ways. While at first glance they seem similar, everything from the process of obtaining &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/?p=10993\"><span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9780,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[74],"tags":[72,130,466],"class_list":["post-10993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ip-news","tag-intellectual-property","tag-patent-protection","tag-trade-secret"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10993","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10993"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10993\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10995,"href":"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10993\/revisions\/10995"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10993"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10993"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive-lynchlaw.pfgsandbox.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10993"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}