Why Do Some Firms Choose Not to File for a Patent

question 32

Multiple Choice

Why do some firms choose not to file for a patent and instead try to keep the results of their research a trade secret?

• A)because firms must disclose information about the product or process being patented in a patent application
• B)because trade secrets are never divulged
• C)because a patent only gives the inventor exclusive rights to a product or process for 5 years
• D)because trade secrets provide the same exclusive legal rights to a product as a patent does