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Hutmacher Industries developed a new chemical for fertilizing orchards. It immediately started selling the product and made a lot of sales over the first three years, but it did not file a patent application because of poor legal advice. Zorka Industries produced a similar new chemical and Hutmacher's sales dropped significantly as it faced competition for the first time. Which of the following statements is true?

a$.$ Zorka Industries must cease production immediately and seek a court's permission to resume.

b$.$ Hutmacher should file for the patent immediately. As it was the first to invent, it will be given the patent and have exclusive rights for $20$ years.

c$.$ Hutmacher failed to file an application for a patent in a timely manner and can't now seek patent protection.

d$.$ Zorka Industries must demonstrate that it did not know of$,$ or steal, the formula from Hutmacher.

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