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NDA vs. Confidentiality Agreement: Which Do You Need?

Use a mutual NDA when both sides will share confidential information, a one-way NDA when only your side will, and an employee confidentiality agreement when your own employees will see it. Each is drafted by a Louisiana attorney for your situation.

Services

  • NDAs

    Mutual NDA

    Both sides share confidential information, for example while exploring a deal or partnership.

    $249fixed legal fee

    5 business days
    View service

  • NDAs

    One-Way (Unilateral) NDA

    Only one side discloses, for example to a prospective contractor, buyer, or investor.

    $249fixed legal fee

    5 business days
    View service

  • Confidentiality

    Employee Confidentiality Agreement

    Protects company information and assigns employee inventions and work product.

    $249fixed legal fee

    5 business days
    View service

NDA or confidentiality agreement?

The names overlap. A non-disclosure agreement and a confidentiality agreement both describe a promise to keep information confidential and to use it only for an agreed purpose. What decides which one you need is who is sharing information, and with whom.

Mutual NDA

Both sides share confidential information, for example while two businesses explore a deal, a joint project, or an acquisition. Each side takes on the same obligations. See the Mutual NDA.

One-way (unilateral) NDA

Only your side discloses, for example when you show a business plan to an investor, a process to a vendor, or a project to a contractor. The receiving side takes on the obligations. See the One-Way (Unilateral) NDA.

Employee confidentiality agreement

Your employees see confidential information as part of their work. An employee confidentiality agreement covers what they may not share, during and after employment, and who owns the inventions and work product they create. See the Employee Confidentiality Agreement.

Not sure which one fits?

Start a consultation and describe what you plan to share and with whom. If your situation calls for a different agreement, your attorney will tell you before any work starts.

Common questions

Is an NDA the same as a confidentiality agreement?

The terms overlap. Both describe an agreement to keep information confidential and use it only for an agreed purpose. The choice that matters is who shares information with whom: both sides (mutual), one side (one-way), or your employees (employee confidentiality).

What's the difference between a mutual and a one-way NDA?

In a mutual NDA both sides share confidential information and take on the same obligations. In a one-way (unilateral) NDA only one side discloses, and only the receiving side takes on the obligations.