Legal & IP
정의
A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a legal contract that obligates one or more parties to keep specified information confidential and not disclose it to third parties without authorization.
NDAs can be mutual (both parties agree not to disclose each other's confidential information) or one-sided (only the receiving party is bound). They typically define what constitutes confidential information, the duration of the obligation, and the permitted use of the information. NDAs are commonly used before sharing business plans or financials with investors, in discussions with potential partners or acquirers, when hiring employees or contractors who will have access to proprietary information, and in any situation where you need to share sensitive information to explore a business relationship. A poorly drafted NDA may not actually protect you — courts look carefully at how specifically the confidential information is defined.
An NDA is often the first legal document a startup or business uses, yet many people sign — or have others sign — poorly drafted templates without understanding their limitations. An attorney can review an NDA you've received before you sign it, or help you draft one that actually protects your confidential information rather than just creating the appearance of protection.