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Non-Disclosure Agreement

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Non-Disclosure Agreement between Two Companies

Non-Disclosure Agreement made on the , between , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as Disclosing Party, and , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as Disclosing Party.

Whereas, Receiving Party has been or will be engaged in the performance of work on ;

and in connection therewith will be given access to certain confidential and proprietary information; and

Whereas, Receiving Party and Disclosing Party wish to evidence by this Agreement the manner in which said confidential and proprietary material will be treated;

Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. For the purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information shall include: (a) any technical, managerial, financial or business information, whether in written, graphic, electromagnetic, verbal or other form (including but not limited to specifications, prototypes, software, models, drawings, product plans, pre-release products, marketing plans, business opportunities, customer lists, personnel data, research and development activities, know-how and third-party information), that the Disclosing Party marks or otherwise designates as Confidential or Proprietary or the like and (b) the existence, terms and conditions of this Agreement whether marked or not.

2. Confidential Information shall at all times remain the property of the Disclosing Party. The Receiving Party warrants that it will at all times apply strict safeguards against the unauthorized disclosure of Confidential Information.

3. Each of the parties agrees that, for a period of years from the date of this Agreement:

A. Confidential Information provided to the Receiving Party shall be used by the Receiving Party solely for the purpose of evaluating its interest in the business arrangement described or performing a future agreement between the parties;

B. Receiving Party will not use such Confidential Information disclosed hereunder for any other purpose;

C. Receiving Party is only permitted to disclose the Confidential Information to those employees, directors, agents, advisors (including, without limitation, attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers and financial advisors) who (i) have a need to know the Confidential Information solely for the purpose of evaluating its interest in the business arrangement described or performing a future agreement between the parties, and (ii) are bound by confidentiality obligations at least as restrictive as those set forth in this Agreement; and

D. Except as permitted by Subsection C, the Receiving Party shall not disclose any Confidential Information to any other person or entity.

4. This Agreement shall not apply to Confidential Information that:

A. Is in or enters the public domain, through no fault of the Receiving Party; or

B. Is or has been disclosed by Disclosing Party to a third party without restriction; or

C. Is already in the possession of the Receiving Party, without restriction, prior to disclosure of the Confidential Information hereunder; or

D. Is lawfully disclosed by a third party to the Receiving Party without an obligation of confidentiality; or

E. Is developed by the Receiving Party independently without breach of this Agreement; or

F. Is required to be disclosed pursuant to court order or required by any governmental authority or agency, provided prompt written notice of such order or requirement is given to the Disclosing Party and Disclosing Party is given an opportunity to respond to such order or requirement.

5. This Agreement shall continue for a period of years from the date first written above for the purpose of disclosure of Confidential Information. Any party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice. The non-disclosure obligations set forth in Paragraph 3 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

6. Neither this Agreement nor the disclosure or receipt of Confidential Information shall constitute or imply a commitment by any party with respect to present or future cooperative product development or other subject matter not expressly set forth herein. No party will have any obligation to commence or continue discussions or negotiations, to exchange any information, to reach or execute any agreement with any other party, to refrain from engaging at any time in any business whatsoever, or to refrain from entering into or continuing any discussions, negotiations and/or agreements at any time with any third party unless agreed to in writing signed by all parties hereto. Each party will be responsible for its own expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and in the preparation of any written agreement relating to the subject matter hereof.

7. The Receiving Party acknowledges that a breach of any of the provisions hereof may have a material adverse effect on the Disclosing Party directly or indirectly, and that damages arising from such breach may be difficult to ascertain or quantify. Accordingly, the Receiving Party agrees that in addition to any other remedies that may be available, the Disclosing Party shall have the right to an immediate injunction enjoining such breach.

8. The Disclosing Party grants no license or right to the Receiving Party under any patent, patent application, trademark, copyright, or other proprietary right.

9. Any amendment to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of each party. No failure or delay in exercising any right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof.

10. At the Disclosing Party’s request, all Confidential Information in tangible form that is in the possession of the Receiving Party shall be returned to the Disclosing Party or destroyed. within fifteen (15) business days after a request is made pursuant to this provision, the Receiving Party will certify in writing to the Disclosing Party that Receiving Party has complied with this paragraph.

11. All parties agree that they will not disclose the subject matter or terms of this Agreement or the discussions between the parties without the prior written consent of all other parties hereto.

12. Severability

The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.

13. No Waiver

The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

14. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

15. Notices

Unless provided herein to the contrary, any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

16. Attorney’s Fees

In the event that any lawsuit is filed in relation to this Agreement, the unsuccessful party in the action shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all the sums that either party may be called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful party's attorney fees.

17. Mandatory Arbitration

Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

18. Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

19. Modification of Agreement

Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

20. Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

21. Compliance with Laws

In performing under this Agreement, all applicable governmental laws, regulations, orders, and other rules of duly-constituted authority will be followed and complied with in all respects by both parties.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

By:

By:

Enter text✕

What a Non-Disclosure Agreement covers and why it matters

A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a legally enforceable contract that creates a confidential relationship between parties who share sensitive information. NDAs define what information is confidential, limit permitted uses and disclosures, set the agreement term, and describe remedies for unauthorized use. NDAs may be unilateral or mutual, tailored by purpose (evaluation, employment, vendor work, M&A), and can be executed on paper or electronically when the parties meet signature and record-retention requirements under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and applicable state UETA laws.

Key reasons organizations use an NDA

NDAs protect trade secrets and proprietary data, clarify permitted disclosures, preserve legal remedies for misuse, and document parties' expectations. Properly drafted NDAs reduce commercial risk and provide a contractual basis for injunctive relief, damages, and confidentiality enforcement under state contract law and applicable federal standards.

Key reasons organizations use an NDA

Who commonly uses NDAs

NDAs are used across sizes and sectors whenever confidential information will be exchanged or evaluated.

  • Startups and investors exchanging pitch decks, product roadmaps, or financials during diligence and fundraising.
  • Employers and contractors protecting trade secrets, proprietary code, client lists, or internal processes during engagement.
  • Vendors, consultants, and potential acquisition counterparties sharing technical designs or business terms under limited-use conditions.

Use the appropriate NDA type (unilateral or mutual) and tailor scope, duration, and exceptions to the transaction.

Typical signatory roles and authority

CEO / Founder

A CEO or founder signs for a small company when they have corporate authority; confirm entity formation and any board approvals required before execution to avoid later challenges to authority.

General Counsel

General counsels or authorized officers typically sign for mid-size and enterprise organizations; they verify governing law, indemnity, and export controls, and ensure the NDA aligns with corporate policies.

Core provisions to include in a professional NDA

A professional NDA uses clear, limited language and balanced obligations so it is enforceable and practical for daily operations.

Definition

A precise definition of Confidential Information that lists categories and excludes public, independently developed, or previously known information to avoid overbroad interpretation.

Purpose

A narrow permitted-use clause stating why information is shared (e.g., evaluation, performance of services), limiting use to that purpose only to reduce enforcement risk.

Term

A defined confidentiality period and any survival clauses for trade secrets or IP; terms should match industry norms to remain reasonable in court.

Permitted Disclosures

Exceptions for disclosures required by law, affiliates, or advisors, with notice and protective step requirements to preserve confidentiality.

Remedies

Injunctive relief, liquidated damages (if reasonable), and recoverable enforcement costs; state law governs availability of equitable remedies.

Governing Law

A clear choice-of-law provision and dispute-resolution process (court or arbitration) to reduce uncertainty and forum-shopping.

Essential fields the NDA must contain

Party Names: Full legal names
Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Confidential Info: Defined categories
Duration: Term in years
Use Limitation: Permitted purpose
Signatures: Signed and dated

Step-by-step: complete and execute an NDA

Follow these steps to prepare a clear, enforceable NDA regardless of whether you sign electronically or on paper.

  • 01
    Gather details: Collect full legal names and contact information for all parties.
  • 02
    Define scope: Specify what is confidential and the permitted use.
  • 03
    Set terms: Choose duration, notice periods, and governing law.
  • 04
    Execute: Sign, date, and retain executed copies for records.

Common settings for completing an NDA online

When preparing an NDA for electronic execution, configure authentication and retention before sending.

Field Configuration
Signature Type ESIGN-compliant electronic signature
Authentication Method Email link, SMS code, or stronger KBA
Signing Order Sequential or parallel as needed
Document Retention Retain PDF with audit trail

Where to send and how to route a completed NDA

Routing depends on party roles and whether countersignatures or witnesses are required.

  • Upload document: Place the finalized NDA in the signing platform.
  • Assign fields: Add signature, date, and initial fields for each signer.
  • Send to parties: Email or share secure signing link to recipients.
  • Archive executed copy: Store signed PDF and audit trail in records.

Technical considerations for eSigning an NDA

Confirm platform security, permitted authentication level, and file-format support before sending a document for signature.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • File formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML supported
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or advanced options

Ensure the chosen provider supports ESIGN/UETA compliance, audit trails, and secure archival. For regulated data, confirm HIPAA or other required certifications before transmitting protected information.

Typical timing elements and notice periods in NDAs

NDAs include effective dates, duration, and specific notice periods for required disclosures or breach reporting.

Effective Date:

Date when obligations begin (MM/DD/YYYY).

Confidentiality Term:

Commonly 2–5 years; trade secrets may survive longer.

Return/Destruction:

Often 30–90 days after termination for material return.

Breach Notice:

Typical notice windows are 30 days for cure or mitigation.

Record Retention:

Retain executed copy for statutory retention period.

Common drafting and execution errors to avoid

  • Overbroad definitions that try to capture all information, which courts may void for vagueness or unenforceability.
  • Unreasonable duration or perpetual terms that a court could find unfair and limit remedies.
  • Signatory authority not verified, leaving the agreement voidable if the signer lacked corporate power.
  • Failing to document permitted disclosures (advisors, affiliates) and required protective measures for each disclosure.

Consequences of an incorrect or unenforceable NDA

Civil Liability: Monetary damages possible
Injunctive Relief: Court-ordered stop use
Contract Voidance: Entire clause may be unenforceable
IP Loss Risk: Potential loss of trade secret protection
Reputational Harm: Damage to business relationships
Regulatory Risk: Special rules for HIPAA data

Practical examples of NDAs in use

Real-world examples show why clear drafting and execution practices matter.

Optica Ventures LLC

A venture firm used an NDA during investor diligence to protect portfolio data

  • Executed with electronic signatures to speed onboarding
  • "The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers," said Brian Fitzgibbons, COO, describing efficient secure handling of confidentiality.

Xerox (NetSuite Ops)

A large enterprise used NDAs for vendor integrations protecting IP and configurations

  • Countersigned by vendor and procurement teams in sequence
  • "Provides us with the flexibility needed to get the right signatures on the right documents, in the right formats," said Kodi-Marie Evans, Director of NetSuite Operations.

Comparing eSignature pricing and core capabilities (vendors shown)

Price and basic capability vary across providers; signNow is listed first for comparison. Confirm plan details with each vendor before purchasing.

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 (Business Premium) Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Common questions about NDAs, signatures, and enforceability

Answers to frequently asked questions about electronic execution, scope, signing authority, and post-execution issues.


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