Updated February 16, 2024
A Delaware non-disclosure agreement is a legal contract that obligates one (1) or two (2) parties to prevent confidential information from reaching the hands of a third (3rd) party or competing business. For the purpose of maintaining trade secrets, an employer may demand that an employee sign this agreement when they are hired. Should one party breach the contract, this document can be used as proof in a court of law and the complainant will be entitled to recover damages for misappropriation of their Confidential Information. What can be defined as Confidential Information has been outlined both in the contract and in the Delaware state statutes (linked below).
Laws – Title 6 – Chapter 20 (Trade Secrets)
“Trade Secret” Definition
“Trade secret” shall mean information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique or process, that:
a. Derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and
b. Is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.