A
trade secret is a
formula,
practice,
process,
design,
instrument,
pattern, commercial method, or compilation of
information which is not generally known or reasonably ascertainable by others, and by which a
business can obtain an economic advantage over competitors or customers. In some
jurisdictions, such secrets are referred to as "confidential information", but are generally not referred to as "
classified information" in the United States, since that refers to government secrets protected by a different set of laws and practices.