Determinants the use of trade secrets: strategic aspects

The research is devoted to studying the theoretical aspects of the problem of substantiation of the trade secret strategy. The article proves the importance of trade secrets in the context of formation of the knowledge economy, intensification of innovative development as a tool for ensuring competitive advantages of innovative organizations. The determinants of the choice of trade secrets as a form of protection and commercialization of intellectual property results are highlighted, including through the prism of comparison with patenting. Attention is focused on the organic combination and complementarity of various protection strategies depending on a specific combination of factors of influence.