SOFTLIB

A trade secret is any formula, pattern, device, process, tool, mechanism, compound, etc., of value to its owner which is not protected by a patent and is not known or accessible to others. As long as it is kept secret, the owner may obtain a great deal of commercial benefit; however trade secrets do not have the same level of legal protection as patents and copyrights... Trade secret protection is governed by state laws and every state makes a theft or unauthorized dissemination of a trade secret an unlawful act. Courts will protect trade secrets if they are truly secret, substantial and valuable; but there must be evidence that reasonable efforts are made to keep them undiscoverable... While no longer required by law, it is still useful to apply a copyright notice to the work. The notice should include the familiar [©] symbol or the word "copyright," the year of first publication and the name of the owner of the copyright.