Disclosure Agreement Template for United States

A Disclosure Agreement lets organizations share sensitive information while keeping it legally protected. These contracts spell out exactly what confidential details can be shared between parties and how that information must be handled. They're essential when businesses need to discuss trade secrets, customer data, or proprietary technology with partners or employees.

Most U.S. companies use these agreements before starting negotiations, hiring staff, or exploring potential deals. The agreement creates clear legal obligations - anyone who breaks it can face serious consequences, including lawsuits and damages. While they're sometimes called NDAs or confidentiality agreements, they all serve the same core purpose: protecting valuable business information from unauthorized sharing or misuse.

Use a Disclosure Agreement before sharing any sensitive business information with outside parties. This includes discussing potential mergers, showing financial records to investors, revealing product designs to manufacturers, or bringing in consultants who need access to internal data. Smart companies get these signed before initial meetings where confidential details might come up.

The agreement becomes essential when hiring key employees who will handle trade secrets, partnering with vendors who may see customer information, or exploring joint ventures. Having it in place early creates clear legal boundaries and helps prevent costly information leaks. Many industries require these agreements to comply with privacy laws and protect intellectual property rights.

• Simple Confidentiality Agreement: Basic version for straightforward situations, using clear language and minimal legal complexity
• NDA Confidentiality Agreement: Comprehensive version with detailed protection terms, commonly used in business negotiations
• Non Disclosure Agreement For Website Development: Specialized for tech projects, covering code, design assets, and development specifics
• Non Disclosure Contract: Formal version with enhanced enforceability, often used for high-stakes business deals
• Non Disclosure Agreement: Standard bilateral agreement balancing protection with practical usability

• Business Owners & Executives: Initiate and oversee Disclosure Agreements to protect company secrets during negotiations, partnerships, or employee onboarding
• Legal Counsel: Draft and review agreements to ensure enforceability and compliance with state and federal laws
• Employees & Contractors: Sign agreements before accessing sensitive information or starting work with confidential materials
• Investors & Venture Capitalists: Require agreements before reviewing business plans or financial data
• Technology Companies: Use agreements to protect intellectual property when working with developers, manufacturers, or testing partners
• HR Departments: Manage agreement distribution and tracking for new hires and departing employees

• Identify Parties: Gather full legal names and addresses of all organizations or individuals who will sign the agreement
• Define Scope: List specific confidential information to be protected, including trade secrets, customer data, or proprietary processes
• Set Duration: Determine how long the confidentiality obligations will last after sharing information
• Specify Purpose: Clearly state why confidential information is being shared and how it can be used
• Plan Distribution: Identify who needs access to the protected information and their roles
• Review Requirements: Check state-specific rules that might affect enforceability
• Use Our Platform: Generate a legally-sound document that includes all required elements automatically

• Definition of Confidential Information: Clear description of what specific data, trade secrets, or knowledge is protected
• Parties to the Agreement: Complete legal names and addresses of all involved entities
• Scope of Obligations: Detailed explanation of how protected information can and cannot be used
• Duration Terms: Specific timeframe for how long confidentiality must be maintained
• Return of Information: Requirements for handling confidential materials after agreement ends
• Permitted Disclosures: Circumstances when sharing protected information is allowed
• Breach Consequences: Clear outline of penalties and remedies for violations
• Governing Law: State jurisdiction that will interpret and enforce the agreement

A Disclosure Agreement is often confused with an Access Agreement, but they serve distinct purposes in protecting business interests. While both deal with managing sensitive information, their scope and application differ significantly.

• Primary Purpose: Disclosure Agreements focus on keeping specific information confidential, while Access Agreements control who can use certain resources or enter specific areas
• Legal Scope: Disclosure Agreements create ongoing confidentiality obligations, whereas Access Agreements primarily establish usage rights and restrictions
• Duration Impact: Disclosure Agreements often extend beyond the business relationship, but Access Agreements typically end when access privileges are terminated
• Enforcement Focus: Disclosure Agreements emphasize preventing information sharing, while Access Agreements concentrate on controlling physical or digital entry points
• Typical Use Cases: Disclosure Agreements protect trade secrets during business discussions; Access Agreements manage facility entry, database usage, or system permissions