Final answer:
The condition that allows for the withholding of trade secrets is Reverse engineering by a competitor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is 3) Reverse engineering by a competitor.
In order for trade secrets to be protected, certain conditions must be met. These conditions typically include:
- Lack of reasonable efforts to maintain secrecy: The trade secret holder must take reasonable steps to keep the information confidential, such as implementing security measures or non-disclosure agreements.
- Unauthorized disclosure by an employee: If an employee reveals the trade secret without permission, legal action can be taken.
- Voluntary disclosure to the public: If the trade secret holder publicly discloses the information, it is no longer a protected secret.
Reverse engineering by a competitor is not a condition that allows for the withholding of trade secrets. Competitors have the right to reverse engineer a product or process in order to learn its secrets.