Doing business in Los Angeles means that you need a comprehensive understanding of the myriad of laws and regulations on the books. And among the most important of these regulations are non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), which are legally binding contracts that help to safeguard the sensitive or confidential information necessary to the operations of a company.

But this is a highly technical area of the law, and understandably it can prove difficult to unpack. To get a clearer picture of the importance of NDAs, it is necessary to look at some of the common questions around them and the answers, which should provide a better working understanding.

What is an NDA?

An NDA, also referred to as a confidentiality or secrecy agreement, is a legally binding agreement that a company or individual creates to protect sensitive or confidential information. These agreements are also commonly established between two parties when they are entering into negotiations for an acquisition or other business partnerships, which could include shared patents, trademarks, and other proprietary information listed in the contract.

Do I Need an NDA?

Organizations or individuals that handle very sensitive or confidential information should have a written NDA in place whenever such information is shared. Beyond that, a business should also have an NDA template that they can use in many different types of relationships, including those with vendors, employees, and other customers. This will clearly set out expectations for the handling of information shared between the two parties, preventing any potential breaches of privacy or misuse of confidential data.

What Should Be Included in an NDA?

The most important components of an NDA ensure that both parties clearly understand what can and cannot be shared. A well-crafted NDA will include details about each party’s responsibilities and the duration of the agreement. It will also spell out in detail what is considered confidential information and may also include stipulations regarding the enforcement of the agreement.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Create an NDA?

It is highly recommended that any deals involving the exchange of confidential or sensitive information should be performed under the guidance of a qualified business lawyer. In Los Angeles, there are many skilled attorneys on UpCounsel that specialize in writing NDA agreements for businesses in the area. Utilizing the services of a lawyer will help to ensure that the agreement is crafted with the utmost accuracy and is fully compliant with local regulation.

Topics:

Non-Disclosure Agreement,

NDA Agreements,

Los Angeles Business Lawyers