To stop a competitor form using a trade secret, the plaintiff must prove that a trade secret actually existed, that the defendant acquired the trade secret unlawfully and .

the defendant used the trade secret without the plaintiff's permission.

Explanation: In other to stop a competitor from using a trade secret, the plaintiff must prove that a trade secret actually existed, that the defendant acquired the trade secret unlawfully and the defendant used the trade secret without the plaintiff's permission. In other words, you must be able to prove that a trade secret actually exist and your competitor unlawfully acquired it for his or her own interest.