What the headline obviously means is that, in the absence of a patent protecting the technology, Rossi is forced to keep the “catalyst” as a trade secret, and devise some means of keeping that secret if he wants to protect his IP.
Second, what you say is true about every invention and every inventor. If you choose not to pursue a patent, or you fail to get one, you need to keep your idea secret or others can legally copy it.
But once you have filed, you can do what you want, on the assumption that an eventual patent will secure the market.
True, but remember, we're talking about journalists here....not exactly the sharpest knives in the drawer.
"Second, what you say is true about every invention and every inventor. If you choose not to pursue a patent, or you fail to get one, you need to keep your idea secret or others can legally copy it."
Absolutely true. I have probably patented only about 5% of the innovations I've made over the years.
"But once you have filed, you can do what you want, on the assumption that an eventual patent will secure the market."
If you "assume" that the patent will issue, blab your IP, and it FAILS to issue, then you're screwed, big time. Which is where Rossi is.