A trade secret is any confidential business information that provides a competitive edge. This can include formulas, practices, processes, designs, or any other information that is not generally known to the public. Companies often take steps to keep these secrets safe, such as using non-disclosure agreements and limiting access to sensitive information. Unlike patents, which require public disclosure, trade secrets can remain protected indefinitely as long as they are kept confidential. If a trade secret is leaked or independently discovered, the owner may lose their competitive advantage. Examples of trade secrets include the recipe for Coca-Cola and the algorithms used by Google.