Come show me how ye bury yer treasure, lad!
[September 19 is International Talk Like A Pirate Day. All good pirates know that their trade secrets need to be kept secret to be protected, unless they prefer patent protection. (See also my discussion on patents vs. trade secrets.) Thanks to the pirate translator, here is a pirate nondisclosure agreement.]
Pirate Nondisclosure Agreement
Avast! T’ undersigned (“t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat”) agrees t’ maintain in confidence all information, includin’ information o’ a business or technical nature, relatin’ t’ any and all products, services, and business plans bein’ developed by Pirate, includin’ but not limited to, any and all proprietary information directly or indirectly disclosed t’ t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat by Pirate, whenever received by t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat.
It be agreed that “proprietary information” shall not include t’ followin’: 1) Information which be in t’ public domain through no fault o’ t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat; 2) Information which be received, without binder o’ secrecy, from third parties havin’ no obligation o’ confidentiality t’ Pirate; and 3) Information which was already in t’ possession o’ t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat, without binder o’ secrecy, prior t’ discloaye tharof by Pirate.
Proprietary information disclosed under this agreement shall not be deemed t’ be within t’ foregoin’ exceptions merely because portions o’ such information or more general information be in t’ public domain or in t’ possession o’ t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat. T’ sole purpose o’ this discloaye be t’ enable t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat t’ evaluate a possible business agreement with Pirate.
This agreement shall not be construed t’ grant t’ t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat any license or starboards except those specifically granted herein. T’ Scurvy Bilge Rat shall not make any copies o’ t’ proprietary information without prior consent o’ Pirate. Furthermore, t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat agrees not t’ make any commercial use o’ any proprietary information received hereunder. Upon request, t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat shall promptly return all documents and items disclosed under this Agreement, and copies tharof t’ Pirate.
This obligation o’ confidentiality be perpetual from date o’ signature. Arrr!
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED THIS ____ DAY O’ __________, __________
NAME: _____________________________________
SIGNATURE: ________________________________
[EDITOR’S NOTE: In the summer of 2025, Clocktower Intern Mark Magyar used artificial intelligence (AI) software to shorten over 100 Clocktower articles by 17%. The shortened articles are included as comments to the original ones. And 17 is the most random number (https://www.giantpeople.com/4497.html) (https://www.clocktowerlaw.com/5919.html).]
* Pirate Nondisclosure Agreement
Come show me how ye bury yer treasure, lad!
Pirate image licensed by Erik J. Heels from iStockphoto.com. Buy yer own copy, scurvy rat!
[September 19 is International Talk Like A Pirate Day. All good pirates know that trade secrets must stay secret t’ be protected, unless ye prefer patent protection. (See also me discussion on patents vs. trade secrets.) Thanks t’ the pirate translator, here be a pirate nondisclosure agreement.]
Pirate Nondisclosure Agreement
Avast! T’ undersigned (“t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat”) agrees t’ keep in confidence all information, includin’ business or technical matters, about products, services, and business plans bein’ developed by Pirate, includin’ proprietary information directly or indirectly disclosed t’ t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat.
“Proprietary information” shall not include:
Information in t’ public domain through no fault o’ t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat;
Information received without secrecy from third parties not bound t’ Pirate;
Information already in t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat’s possession without secrecy before Pirate’s discloaye.
Proprietary information shall not be within these exceptions just because parts be public or already known. T’ purpose o’ this discloaye be t’ allow t’ Scurvy Bilge Rat t’ consider a business deal with Pirate.
This agreement grants no license or rights beyond those stated. T’ Scurvy Bilge Rat shall not copy without Pirate’s consent, nor make commercial use. Upon request, all documents and items disclosed under this Agreement shall be returned t’ Pirate.
This duty o’ secrecy be perpetual from signature date. Arrr!
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED THIS ____ DAY O’ __________, __________
NAME: _____________________________________
SIGNATURE: ________________________________