What are some of the disadvantages with the trade secrecy route compared to the patent route?

While a patentee has a monopoly by which he can stop people from making, using or selling his invention, the owner of a trade secret has no rights, except against those who have contracted, expressly or by implication, not to disclose the secret, or who have obtained it by unfair means. Further, if a trade secret is disclosed to the public by a breach of confidence, the trade secret dissolves and the former trade secret holder generally has no recourse against new people who use it.