Proprietary knowledge refers to information that is privately owned and perhaps even legally protected. However, in some contexts, it might be desirable or necessary to refer to this type of information using synonyms in order to avoid overuse or repetition. One possible synonym is trade secrets, which refers to knowledge or information that a company keeps confidential in order to gain a competitive advantage. Another synonym is confidential information, which covers information that is not publicly available and is protected by non-disclosure agreements. In addition, know-how refers to practical expertise or techniques that are not generally known or easily taught. Finally, insider knowledge refers to information that is only available to individuals with special access or insider status.