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What Is a Confidentiality Clause?

A plain-English guide to confidential information, permitted use, exclusions, duration, and required disclosure.

01

What the clause does

A confidentiality clause limits how specified information may be used or disclosed. It can appear inside a broader contract or in a standalone non-disclosure agreement.

02

Define what is protected

Check whether confidential information includes written, oral, technical, financial, customer, product, or business information and whether information must be marked or identified.

03

Look for exclusions

Common exclusions include information already known, independently developed, publicly available, or lawfully received from another source.

04

Duration and permitted disclosure

Review how long duties last, who may receive information, and what happens when disclosure is required by law or when the relationship ends.

clauseInsight.com is informational, not legal advice.

Use these guides to understand concepts and organize a first pass. For advice about enforceability, rights, obligations, or your circumstances, consult a qualified legal professional.

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