Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of trade secrets?

Trade secrets are defined by certain key characteristics that distinguish them from other forms of intellectual property. For a piece of information to qualify as a trade secret, it must provide economic value to a company because it is not generally known to or readily ascertainable by competitors. This secrecy gives the company a competitive advantage.

The correct choice indicates that trade secrets are not generally known to the public, which is fundamental to their definition. If information is publicly accessible, it cannot qualify as a trade secret because it would not provide any economic benefit designated for privacy or exclusivity.

Additionally, trade secrets must be actively kept secret by the company, and they are often developed internally. Thus, the notion that they are publicly known contradicts the core elements that enable trade secrets to function as vital business strategies for retaining competitive advantage.