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What is Trade secret?

Trade secret: Confidential information that gives a business an edge.

Where Trade secret fits

Trade secret is part of Ownership & Rights in Law & Ethics. Intellectual property includes patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. Protect it with registration, licenses and non-disclosure agreements.

Practical tip

Put ownership in writing and respect others' rights.

Related terms

Intellectual property
Legal rights over creations like inventions, brands and designs.
Patent
Exclusive right to an invention for a limited time.
Limited liability
Owners risk only what they invested, not personal assets.
Audit
An independent check that financial records are accurate.
Trademark
A registered name, logo or symbol that identifies a brand.
Copyright
Legal ownership of original creative work.
Licensing
Permission to use someone's property, often for a fee.
Royalty
A payment for using someone's work or idea.

Formulas you will use with it

Profit margin

Test yourself

Which term means: “Confidential information that gives a business an edge.”?

Intellectual property · Royalty · Trade secret

Answer: Trade secret

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