Why are trade secrets important?

A. Confidential technical information comprises many of your most valuable assets; this is trade secret information!
   (1) Formulations
   (2) Company practices and design parameters
   (3) Process designs
   (4) Data

B. If this information becomes readily available in the public domain
   (1) it becomes more difficult to distinguish your goods and services from those of competitors
      (a) Possible loss of competitive advantage
      (b) Possible loss of customer base
      (c) Possible loss of market share