Non-Disclosure Agreement (Mutual)
This Non-Disclosure Agreement binds both parties in a transaction or venture to not disclose each other's confidential information.Document Overview
This Non-Disclosure Agreement binds both parties in a transaction or venture to not disclose each other's confidential information. It is normally signed alongside other documents key to that transaction or venture, and included as an attachment to those documents. It is drafted to allow both parties to participate in the transaction or venture by sharing sensitive information to the extent required.
This NDA is a binding legal contract. Therefore, when a breach or violation occurs by way of an unauthorized disclosure, you are able to claim rights in dispute against the violating or disclosing party. These rights are outlined in the provisions of this agreement - some resolutions can include;
- an injunction;
- damage for loss; and
- court orders.
This NDA uses broad definitions of the categories of confidential information that are being protected. Parties may wish to add specific details to these definitions as needed
In situations where it will be exclusively, or predominantly, one party sharing sensitive information with the other, parties should instead consider using a one-way Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Use this Non-Disclosure Agreement (Mutual) if:
You would like to disclose confidential information in a negotiation and want it not be in the public domain (ie. competitors, successors);
You would like to put restrictions on the use of confidential information;
You would like to maintain secrecy of information when working with contractors or potential investors;
You would access confidential information that belongs to someone else; and
You would like to protect confidential information including intellectual property, financial projections, customer lists and trade secrets.
What does the Non-Disclosure Agreement (Mutual) cover?
A description of the confidential information;
Confidential rights and obligations of the parties;
Protection of sensitive information;
Return of confidential information at the end of the agreement;
Obligations regarding proper use of the information; and
Circumstances where disclosure is permitted.
Other names for Non-Disclosure Agreement include:
NDA
Confidentiality Agreement
Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA)
Proprietary Information Agreement (PIA)
Secrecy Agreement (SA)
Confidentiality Contract
Gag Order
Who should sign a Non-Disclosure?
Business Partners
Business partners are the most common co-signatories of NDAs, as they may have a relationship where the power is relatively evenly distributed and where both parties are disclosing sensitive information while working together.
Clients
When engaging with clients or potential clients, a business or entity may have the clients sign a non-disclosure agreement when sensitive information is disclosed.
Vendors
A business that relies on third-party vendors who may have access to their confidential information should get the vendor to sign a non-disclosure agreement during their business relationship to ensure their information is protected.
Contractors
Having an independent contractor sign a non-disclosure agreement where they may have access to their confidential information during their employment, would prevent the contractor from acting on the information and protect the contracting entity.
Investors
Investors may be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement when commercially sensitive information is shared between the parties to ensure the information does not go public, and the information is protected.