Non Disclosure Agreement

Traditionally you just mark your fab drawings as copyright and proprietary trade secret and let it go at that.

It's not clear how much more an NDA would do for you. I've worked at quite a few high tech places and I don't recall ever asking a metalworking shop to sign a non-disclosure.

Jim Stewart wrote in news:BridnZ4w2JcyvDzbnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@omsoft.com:

The company I work for requires an NDA for every vendor that would have any remote chance of gaining any process/technical/business information from the transactions with that vendor. This most certianly includes machine shops, or anyone who would visit (or have to walk by) any production, engineering or support areas of our facilities. Probably the big difference is they have the bevy of corp lawyers who would actually enforce the clauses of the NDA through whatever legal means are available.

" If you copy ma parts and start sellin em, my cousin Vinny is gonna give you a visit"

John

Tom, this one isn't terrible

I would insert a paragraph describing the length of time they have to evaluate your work and allow either party to terminate the agreement ( but not the obligation to keep things secret ) on some short notice - 30 days. You should also rewrite paragraph 1 to make it more specific - C I includes all drawings, prototypes , and specifications for the _______ developed by the disclosing party. The main purpose of this agreement is not that you would want to enforce it, but instead to have the company you deal with agree that they won't use your ideas - and not only that they agree to that before you provide the secrets to them, that they agree to that in writing. Good luck.

And your cousin Vinny better be a damn good lawyer.

John

though I would insert a paragraph describing the length of time they

p.s. I would usually add a provision that says if you have to sue them, they will pay your attorneys fees. You might want to talk to an attorney about other steps you should be taking to protect yourself - such as forming a corporation and having your attorney review any contracts with marketers or distributors before you sign to have your product sold.

Get a lawyer.

Draft one specific to your and your contacts' needs.

I have been approached a couple times (as a hobby machine shop guy) to sign NDA's in order that I might "help" someone solve a problem with an invention.

It has been by nutters, each and every one of them. Either convinced that they were onto the next big thing, or afraid that someone will steal their idea, or on the lookout for someone to blame when their idea did not get them rich. At least two of them were "inventing" things that were readilly available, but they were not aware of. One had to have it explained to him why it was a bad idea to have oxygen in contact with lube oils (wanted to run a pump, use, undisclosed, off of the line pressure of a breathing oxygen bottle).

That may not be you, Tom, but, I figure, if the information is worth protecting with an NDA, it is worth the Lawyers' fees.

Cheers Trevor Jones

I write my own. Seems to work.

-jd

What is your plan to detect disclosure and how able are you to pay to litigate your suspicions?

Wes

If you really want to protect your idea, I would not send the full set to any shop. Spread the details across multiple shops so the intent can not be decerned from your drawings that are at any particular shop. Think compartmentalization.

Wes

NDA's are filecabinet-food for corporate weenies. They're not worth crap otherwise because they are at best a weak excuse to engage in litigation that would cost far more than any reasonably-expectable return.

Deal with people you have reason to believe have integrity. Do a simple NDA as a matter of form if it makes you feel better.

well said my friend, well said