2. The term of protection of technical secrets is based on the term of confidentiality. As long as it is strictly kept secret and not replaced by new technology, the protection period is infinite. Technical secrets can exist indefinitely, so that the corresponding technology can always bring economic benefits to enterprises and always be in a competitive advantage, thus monopolizing the market. This is why it is favored by some people. The exclusive right to use a patent has a statutory period of protection. Article 42 of China's Patent Law stipulates that the term of the invention patent right is 20 years, and the term of the utility model patent right is 10 years, all of which are counted from the date of application. After the expiration, the patent right automatically disappears, and the corresponding technology enters the public domain, and anyone can use it at will.