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A trade secret can be any business information that derives its value from its secrecy. It can be a method, a technique, a process, research and analysis data, a formula, a recipe, a device, an instrument, etc.
Trade secrets can be very valuable when you have developed new technology, designed original products, created the perfect recipe or put together a gold mine of customer data. However, it may not be the best choice of intellectual property (IP) protection if your competitors can easily reconstruct your creation.
Generally, trade secrets are used to:
- ensure that an invention or a design is not disclosed to the public before applying for a patent or an industrial design
- protect an invention through means other than patent protection
- protect valuable business information that is not formally protected through other IP rights
There is no formal registration process.
A trade secret protects your information.
It lasts as long as it is kept secret.
Did you know?
One of the most famous trade secrets is the Coca-Cola formula, which has remained a well-guarded secret for over 100 years. The business value of the formula is why the company goes to extremes to keep it confidential.
Should I consider other types of IP protection?
Evaluating your intangible assets and identifying your IP is an important part of your business. There are no registration costs attached to a trade secret, and it can be protected for as long as the secret is maintained. Unlike with a patent or industrial design, you will never have to publicly disclose the details of your trade secret. However, you will need to weigh the effectiveness and the cost of keeping the information secured and confidential alongside the potential financial benefit, keeping in mind other available types of IP protection mechanisms.
Securing your trade secret
There is no formal application or registration process for trade secrets in Canada. You should consider different ways to keep your valuable business information secret, including:
- non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements
- confidentiality clauses in employment agreements
- encryption
- password protection
- lock and key
- limits on the number of individuals with access to the information
Remember! Once a trade secret is made public, it loses its business value and legal remedies become complex.
Selling and licensing
Increase your revenue and market share by selling or licensing your trade secret to industry partners interested in benefitting from it.
Enforcing your rights
Take the appropriate measures to keep your information a secret. Enforcing a trade secret is the responsibility of the owner.
For more information on IP, please visit the Intellectual property and copyright page or contact our Client Service Centre at 1-866-997-1936.
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Aussi offert en français sous le titre Secrets commerciaux.