Har collab, pitch, or negotiation me ek standard line hoti hai: “Let’s sign an NDA.” Non-Disclosure Agreement ka purpose simple hai – jo bhi confidential information share ho, wo publicly leak na ho ya unfair competitor ke paas na pahunch jaye.
Achha NDA clearly define karta hai:
- What is confidential – technical info, customer lists, pricing, business plans, code, demos,
- Who can see it – employees, advisors, affiliates (on need-to-know basis),
- How long secrecy chalegi – 2, 3, 5 years, sometimes limited for trade secrets,
- What is excluded – already public info, independently developed, law ke force se disclosed.
Remedies breach pe – injunction (immediate stop) plus damages. Sometimes liquidated damages clause add hoti hai, lekin courts hamesha literal amount grant nahi karte; reasonableness check hota hai.
One-sided NDAs sirf disclosing party protect karte hain; mutual NDAs dono direction me similar duties create karte hain. Startups, freelancers, and agencies ko NDAs ko lightly nahi lena chahiye – yahi document future IP disputes me pehla defence banta hai.
