A trade secret is normally a process or formulation. The proprietary nature is simply kept secret, for example, within the company, as a means of providing a competitive advantage over others. This method of protection IP is sometimes used when the commercial value of the IP will extend well beyond the monopoly period in the various IP statutes.

Trade secrets are normally protected by using a contract, called a "Confidential Disclosure Agreement", "Non-Disclosure Agreement", "Secrecy Agreement", or "Confidentiality Agreement".

A sample is provided online for your reference, however, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR NEEDS, AND IS MISSING INFORMATION CRITICAL TO A VALID CONTRACT, such as a definition of the word "Activity". Please contact the IPED office or your lawyer for assistance PRIOR TO entering into any type of contract.