1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,880
[MUSIC]

2
00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:08,199
Sometimes an inventor or business decides

3
00:00:08,240 --> 00:00:10,479
that the best way to protect their IP is

4
00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:11,679
to just keep it a secret

5
00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:12,680
from everyone else.

6
00:00:13,240 --> 00:00:14,719
These are called trade secrets,

7
00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:16,720
and they include things like formulas,

8
00:00:17,040 --> 00:00:18,840
processes, designs,

9
00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:20,960
methods of manufacturing products,

10
00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:22,920
and compilations of information.

11
00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:25,640
Some famous examples of trade secrets

12
00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:27,520
include the recipe for Coca-Cola,

13
00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:29,519
the 11-spice and herb blend used

14
00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:30,880
by Kentucky Fried Chicken,

15
00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:32,520
and Google's search algorithm.

16
00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:36,759
It's important for companies to keep their

17
00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:38,679
information safe so other people

18
00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:40,640
and companies can't use it to create

19
00:00:40,681 --> 00:00:42,920
a similar product and sell it themselves.

20
00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:44,999
Protecting trade secrets is

21
00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:46,520
a do-it-yourself process.

22
00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:48,679
One doesn't file for formal protection

23
00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:50,039
for trade secrets like they

24
00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:51,840
would for patents or copyrights.

25
00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:54,040
Owners of trade secrets simply

26
00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:55,720
keep the information secret.

27
00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:57,560
There are legal protections for trade

28
00:00:57,640 --> 00:00:59,399
secrets, such as a non-disclosure

29
00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:00,399
agreement for anyone

30
00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:01,960
with knowledge of the information.

31
00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:04,319
Usually, only a few people know all

32
00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:05,959
the information that makes up a trade

33
00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:06,520
secret,

34
00:01:06,960 --> 00:01:08,440
and even though trade secrets aren't

35
00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:10,080
legally registered as intellectual

36
00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:11,759
property, stealing or publishing

37
00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:13,080
them is still illegal.

38
00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:15,159
Federal labs can't have trade secrets

39
00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:16,519
on inventions and processes

40
00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:17,360
they've developed.

41
00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:18,759
The government equivalent

42
00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:20,240
is classified information.

43
00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:22,400
But when labs partner with businesses

44
00:01:22,441 --> 00:01:24,479
and individuals, they may need to learn

45
00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:26,400
about those partners' IP to help.

46
00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:27,800
T2 laws have

47
00:01:27,841 --> 00:01:30,079
been put in place that allow federal labs

48
00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:31,640
to keep quiet about partners' trade

49
00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:33,360
secrets so they can work together

50
00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:34,999
and companies can be sure their

51
00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:36,439
information is safe throughout

52
00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:37,640
the partnering process.

53
00:01:37,681 --> 00:01:49,600
[MUSIC]