Can this agreement be e-signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws where adopted; confirm any consumer disclosure requirements and venue or sponsor restrictions.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is rarely required for a standard exhibition license, but specific venue rules or local statutes may require notarized signatures for certain instruments; verify with the venue or local counsel.

Will exhibiting harm patent rights?

Public demonstrations can affect trade secret protection and may influence novelty for later patent filings; consult IP counsel before public disclosure and time patent filings accordingly.

How do I protect confidential features?

Attach a strict confidentiality clause or separate NDA limiting what may be shown, recorded, or photographed, and define permitted audience and access controls during the exhibition.

Who must sign on behalf of a company?

An authorized officer or person with delegated signature authority must sign; ask for corporate resolution evidence if signature authority is in doubt to avoid enforceability issues.

How can the agreement be amended or revoked?

Amendments should be in writing and signed by both parties; revocation procedures should follow the agreement’s termination clause and any applicable notice periods to avoid breach claims.

Electronic Signature
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Agreement for Exhibition of Unpatented Invention

Agreement for Exhibition of Unpatented Invention

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

What the Agreement for Exhibition of Unpatented Invention Is

An Agreement for Exhibition of Unpatented Invention is a written contract that lets an inventor or owner permit a third party, venue, or event organizer to display or demonstrate an invention that has not been patented. The document identifies the parties, describes the invention and exhibition period, sets conditions for use and handling, addresses confidentiality and publicity, and allocates liability and insurance responsibilities. It also clarifies intellectual property positions — for example whether the exhibitor may publicly demonstrate or must keep details confidential — and states signature, notarization, and governing-law requirements. Consider eSignature acceptance under federal ESIGN law (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA rules when executing digitally.

Why this Agreement Matters for Inventors and Organizers

This agreement protects the inventor’s control over confidential information, clarifies exhibition rights and restrictions, and reduces misunderstandings about liability, public disclosure, and IP ownership while documenting consent for display.

Who Typically Uses This Agreement

Inventors, event organizers, manufacturers, and institutions use this agreement to document permitted exhibitions and protect IP and confidentiality during public or closed demonstrations.

Inventors and inventors’ agents — to preserve control over demonstrations and limit disclosure of sensitive details.
Event organizers and trade show managers — to set handling, insurance, and display requirements for exhibitors.
Legal counsel and licensing teams — to confirm IP language, indemnity, and governing law are consistent with broader IP strategy.

Use the agreement whenever an unpatented invention will be displayed publicly, shown to potential partners, or demonstrated for testing, marketing, or fundraising purposes.

Step-by-Step: Completing and Executing the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, sign, and store the agreement correctly.

01

Draft: Describe parties, invention, exhibition scope, insurance, and confidentiality.
02

Review: Have IP counsel check disclosure language and publicity clauses.
03

Authorize: Obtain signatures from authorized representatives and witnesses if required.
04

Archive: Store executed copies and audit logs for the retention period.

Digital Execution Workflow Overview

A standard eSigning workflow reduces turnaround time and creates an auditable record of consent and acceptance.

Upload Document: Import the agreement as PDF or DOCX.
Place Fields: Add signature, initial, and date fields where needed.
Send to Signers: Distribute via email link or secure signing portal.
Capture Audit Trail: Record timestamps, IP addresses, and authentication events.

Recommended Digital Configuration for Secure Execution

Configure authentication and retention settings to match the sensitivity of the invention and venue requirements.

Field	Configuration
Authentication	Use email + SMS code or stronger KBA for external signers
Signature Type	Standard eSignature with audit trail; use digital PKI if higher non-repudiation required
Retention	Retain signed PDF and audit trail for defined retention period
Notifications	Enable signer reminders and completion receipts

Technical Considerations for eSigning and Storage

Choose a platform that supports standard document formats, audit trails, and integrations to your existing systems.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and Excel are widely supported for agreements and exhibits.
Integrations: Link to CRM or document storage (Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace) for lifecycle tracking.
Security: Select TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest, and a platform with SOC 2/ISO certification.

Ensure any chosen service preserves a tamper-evident signed copy plus a searchable audit trail to support evidence of execution and consent.

Core Clauses to Include in a Professional Exhibition Agreement

These six sections form the backbone of a balanced agreement addressing rights, responsibilities, and protections for both parties.

Parties

Identify full legal names and capacity (individual, company) for each party, including addresses and contact details.

Invention Description

Describe the invention in descriptive, non-ambiguous terms and specify what aspects may be shown or must remain confidential.

Exhibition Terms

Set dates, hours, location, setup/teardown obligations, access control, and permitted demonstration formats.

Confidentiality

If non-public details are involved, include a confidentiality clause or attach an NDA to restrict dissemination.

IP Rights

State that the agreement does not transfer patent rights and define handling of public disclosures and ownership of improvements.

Liability & Insurance

Allocate responsibility for loss/damage, require insurance limits if appropriate, and include indemnity language for misuse.

Required Information and Standard Data Elements

Inventor Name: Full legal name

Invention Details: Short title and summary

Exhibition Dates: Start and end dates

Venue: Location and contact

Compensation: Fee or consideration

Signatures: Authorized signer name/title

Common Preparation Pitfalls to Avoid

Vague invention descriptions that leave room for conflicting interpretations and later disputes over scope and permitted demonstrations.
Failing to attach or cross-reference insurance requirements and venue rules, which can leave liability exposure unclear during an event.
Over-disclosing technical details in public exhibits without confidentiality measures, risking trade secret loss or adverse patent implications.
Omitting signature authority verification for corporate signers, which may render the agreement unenforceable against the organization.

Key Risks and Legal Consequences to Consider

Trade Secret Loss: Public disclosure risk

Patent Impact: May affect future filings

Enforceability: Improper signatures risk voiding

Liability Exposure: Claims for damage or injury

Privacy Breach: Personal data handling risk

Notarization Omission: Some jurisdictions may require extra steps

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for Executing Agreements

Compare common plan starting prices and core features relevant to agreement execution, authentication, and compliance; signNow appears first for direct comparison.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	Yes, 7-day trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes (premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions About Execution and Validity

Answers to common questions on eSigning, notarization, IP protection, and amendment procedures for exhibition agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be e-signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws where adopted; confirm any consumer disclosure requirements and venue or sponsor restrictions.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is rarely required for a standard exhibition license, but specific venue rules or local statutes may require notarized signatures for certain instruments; verify with the venue or local counsel.
Will exhibiting harm patent rights?
Public demonstrations can affect trade secret protection and may influence novelty for later patent filings; consult IP counsel before public disclosure and time patent filings accordingly.
How do I protect confidential features?
Attach a strict confidentiality clause or separate NDA limiting what may be shown, recorded, or photographed, and define permitted audience and access controls during the exhibition.
Who must sign on behalf of a company?
An authorized officer or person with delegated signature authority must sign; ask for corporate resolution evidence if signature authority is in doubt to avoid enforceability issues.
How can the agreement be amended or revoked?
Amendments should be in writing and signed by both parties; revocation procedures should follow the agreement’s termination clause and any applicable notice periods to avoid breach claims.

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