COMPUTER ETHICS AND SECURITY
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND PRIVACY
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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10 years
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15 years
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Unlimited period
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None of the above
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Detailed explanation-1: -trade secret protection is not limited in time (patents last in general for up to 20 years). It may continue indefinitely as long as the secret is not revealed to the public; trade secrets involve no registration costs (though keeping the information confidential may entail high costs in certain cases);
Detailed explanation-2: -The trade secret designation enjoys protection under US law, and the associated costs are significantly lower. Patents require companies to disclose inventive properties publicly. Their protection is also limited in time, usually lasting no more than 20 years, while trade secrets remain protected indefinitely.
Detailed explanation-3: -In the United States, trade secrets are defined and protected by the Economic Espionage Act of 1996 (outlined in Title 18, Part I, Chapter 90 of the U.S. Code) and also fall under state jurisdiction. As a result of a 1974 ruling, each state may adopt its own trade secret rules.