When I was at IBM (research), they generated a ton of patents. But they went through a process to decide if something should be patented (tell everyone about i

When I was at IBM (research), they generated a ton of patents. But they went through a process to decide if something should be patented (tell everyone about it), or just be a trade secret. They used or licensed these secrets, which seemed to be all about making chips/ waffers and such. I think the thinking was it would be difficult to figure how they made said thing, once it was out in the public. If you patent, everyone knows.