Which of the following scenarios would likely violate trade secret protections?

Using a competitor's proprietary software without consent would likely violate trade secret protections because proprietary software is typically designed to be confidential and is protected under trade secret laws. When a company creates proprietary software, it invests significant resources into developing that software, which gives it a competitive advantage. The unauthorized use of such software not only breaches the trust established between companies but also constitutes a misappropriation of confidential information.

In contrast, sharing a patented invention is permissible because patents are public documents, and their information is meant to be disclosed. Developing a similar product independently does not infringe on trade secrets, as long as the development doesn't involve inappropriate access or use of confidential information. Discussing business practices in a public forum may not necessarily violate trade secret protections unless the practices shared are confidential and not meant to be disclosed.