[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.

[muir_redwoods]

Well understood but my point was if patents are theft what “crime” is it to intentionally deprive the world of ones discovery/development by keeping it a secret?