Per the USPTO, a trade secret:

• is information that has either actual or potential independent economic value by virtue of not being generally known,
• has value to others who cannot legitimately obtain the information, and
• is subject to reasonable efforts to maintain its secrecy.

All three elements are required; if any element ceases to exist, then the trade secret will also cease to exist. Otherwise there is no limit on the amount of time a trade secret is protected.

The intellectual property experts of Cislo & Thomas LLP help companies protect valuable trade secret information by:

• Establishing protective internal company guidelines, policies, and procedures;
• Drafting confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements covering trade secrets; and
• Litigating misappropriated valuable company trade secrets.