How do I get a non-disclosure agreement?

Please supply the following details when requesting an NDA via ipmatters@plymouth.ac.uk.

A. Full name and address of the other party/parties (registered address if possible where it is a company);

B. Full contact details of the person or persons from the other party/parties who will be responsible for receiving any notices in relation to the NDA – this should include their position, telephone and email where possible;

C. Full name of the person/persons who will signing the NDA on behalf of the other party/parties – including their official capacity to legally bind the party/parties (i.e.: Director);

D. The Permitted Purpose: a short, but precise, statement of the nature of the information being disclosed (the confidential information) and what it is to be used for (Purpose);

E. The period of time over which the disclosure of confidential information will be taking place (disclosure period - maybe as short as a few weeks or months, or longer);

F. The period of time (following the disclosure period) that it will be necessary for the party/parties to maintain the duty of confidentiality in relation to the confidential information – this may be as short as 5 years, but is more typically 10 years.

G. Details of any registered IP and/or confidential material (papers etc) that will need referencing in the NDA (copies of material marked ‘commercial in confidence’ – is always useful).

Non-disclosure is the most effective way to protect confidential information, sensitive issues and novel ideas. However, where some disclosure is necessary, the usage of Non-Disclosure Agreements or Confidentiality Agreements (NDAs) is now common place, and it is the University’s policy to use NDAs to regulate and control the disclosure of confidential information.

This is essential to protect the University from risk and to mitigate any liabilities, it also forms the first link in the chain of evidence when considering any future collaborative and/or commercial activity with external parties or exploitation of intellectual property.

The University’s Specialist IP Advisors maintain a range of precedent NDA material. These are generally prepared and negotiated through the Specialist IP Advisors (who also maintain a database and record of all NDAs for future reference) or if the NDA relates to a large transaction or sensitive issue, for which other contractual documentation is or may be required then you can seek further assistance from the Legal Services Department (internal access only) or Matthew Jackson (University solicitor) and Melissa Rose (University Legal Officer).

For the avoidance of doubt, staff and students are not authorised to enter into or sign NDAs with third parties on behalf of the University.