[muir_redwoods]

Are trade secrets theft? Is the Coke formula or the “Eleven different herbs and spices” theft? How do they differ in this regard from patents?

[ShadowAce]

Trade secrets are just that--secret. If Coke applied for a patent on its formula, then the formula would be public.

As long as Coke keeps its formula secret, and no one else is able to copy it, then they're good.

But that is a risk.