(1) patents are publicly protected, so the protection cost is lower than keeping technical secrets. If the reverse engineering of this technology is difficult and it is difficult for others to study it thoroughly, then use technical secrets to protect it, otherwise use patents to protect it;
(2) There is a time limit for patent protection and a time limit for technical value. If the technology will not be eliminated for a long time, it can be protected by technical secrets, because the patent right has a time limit, and it will not be protected after the time limit;
(3) The patent application may not be authorized, which will make the technology public.
(4) The protection of technical secrets is costly and ineffective. Once stolen, it is difficult to prove and prosecute.