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Download confidentiality agreement template in Microsoft Word format.
Keep Sensitive Information Protected with a Confidentiality Agreement Template
Are you in need of a document that can help legally protect you when disclosing sensitive information? Have you considered using a Confidentiality Agreement template rather than trying to personally draft this document or having to hire a high-priced attorney? One of the finest aspects of the Internet is that this easy-to-use medium has simplified and streamlined the process of sharing documents between professionals, making it much easier to find business forms and other documents online. However, before you choose to incorporate one of these templates into your business, you need to ensure that it covers all the required topics and information. In this article we will briefly define the purpose of a confidentially agreement, followed by an outline of some of the most prominent topics/sections that these templates should always include.
What Is a Confidentiality Agreement?
A Confidentiality Agreement, also known as a Non-Disclosure Agreement, is a legally binding document that is typically utilized when one party wants to prohibit another from disclosing sensitive and confidential information. Once this document is signed, the party who signed it will be legally barred from disclosing, sharing, reproducing or using any information that the requesting party deems confidential. Depending on the type and scope of the business or person who is requesting confidentiality, the agreement may range from a very simple and straightforward document, to one that is very extensive and complex, but in either case, the document should specifically address the type of information that will be considered “confidential,” along with the legal penalty for violating the terms of the agreement.
The Confidentiality Agreement Template: Required Information
There are, of course, many different types of confidentiality agreements. For example, there are confidentiality agreements between business partners who need to share sensitive information in order to operate their business efficiently. Other types of confidentiality agreements are used by companies when hiring new employees or contractors who, due to the role they will play in the company, will have access to confidential information. Regardless of the purpose, though, all confidentiality agreements should at least address the following topics:
• Names. This includes the names and contact information of both parties.
• Confidential Information. This section, which is obviously the most important, will specifically outline the type of information that will be considered confidential under the agreement.
• Exclusions. Here all the exclusions to what may be deemed confidential should be clearly defined. This section can also be called “permitted disclosures.”
• Recipient Obligation. In this section, the obligation to maintain confidentiality, the obligation that is being accepted by the signer of the document, will be outlined specifically.
• Penalty. If the required party fails to keep the barred information confidential, the penalty for such action will be listed in this section. Depending on the state or region the documented is drafted in, the appropriate law that allows for the use of confidentiality agreements will be listed here, along with the legal penalty for breaching the contract.
• Term. This section will define the term of the agreement as it relates to time. In most cases these agreements will stay in force until the one or the other parties is deceased, and even after the association between the two parties has ended.
• Signatures. The confidentiality agreement will only be legal and enforceable when signed and dated by the party in question.
Confidentiality agreements can be very difficult to draft, largely because they require a certain degree of legal knowledge. This is where a confidentiality agreement template can come in very handy. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars to an attorney---one who, in many cases, will merely pass it on to a paralegal or legal secretary—the templates on the web can usually be downloaded at little to no cost to the borrowing party.