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CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS
What is a confidentiality agreement?
A confidentiality agreement is an agreement between parties to keep specified information confidential. Parties may be companies or individuals or a combination of these. One party may disclose confidential information to another, or both parties may exchange information.
What is confidential information?
Confidential information may be anything from a concept or business idea to a formula or plan to make something. As this type of confidential information may be difficult to protect under laws relating to other forms of intellectual property, such as trademarks or copyright, a confidentiality agreement may be an appropriate form of protection for the confidential information.
What information can be protected?
For information to be protected under a confidentiality agreement, information must have the necessary quality of confidence, that is, it cannot be information that is known to the public already. Information need not be novel, inventive or original, but must be some product of the mind that confers a confidential nature upon that information. To be protected, information must be provided in circumstances of confidentiality.
Parties can take legal action to protect confidential information. Please contact a solicitor using the AussieLegal Referral if you would like us to do this for you.
When should a confidentiality agreement be used?
A confidentiality agreement should be used in any situation where you are disclosing information you do not want others to know.
Common situations in which confidentiality agreements are used include:
What is in a confidentiality agreement?
Generally, a confidentiality agreement will:
What form should the agreement take?
An agreement may take the form of a letter, an agreement signed by the parties or their authorised representatives.
A letter may be used in a less formal situation, and should be signed by both the disclosing and receiving parties, or their authorised representatives, acknowledging the terms on which confidential information is made available.
An agreement or a deed is a more formal document, and will usually be longer. Again, it should be signed by the parties or their authorised representatives.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For more information or formal advice, contact Marks and Sands Lawyers
who are experienced in this area of law. They are located at Level 9, 30 The
Esplanade Perth WA 6000 or call them on (08) 9488 1300.
Marks & Sands Lawyers is one of the largest independent law firms in Western
Australia and has been providing legal services to the community for over 25
years. Our legal services are certified by Standards Australia Quality. We
provide a broad range of legal services for government agencies, corporations,
small businesses and private individuals. We offer a 24 hour, 7 day service and
have branch offices in Wagin and Merredin - our country connections remain
strong. Call us to discuss your situation or to arrange an appointment.
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