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What is Non-Disclosure Agreement?

Researched by the BeforeSigning editorial teamLast reviewed: 2026-05-10

Quick answer

A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a contract requiring one or both parties to keep specified information confidential.

A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a contract requiring one or both parties to keep specified information confidential. NDAs can be mutual or one-way and typically have a set duration.

Examples

  • A one-way NDA signed before receiving a company's pitch deck.
  • A mutual NDA between two companies exploring a partnership.
  • A perpetual NDA covering trade secrets rather than ordinary confidential info.

Why this matters

BeforeSigning catches NDAs that extend beyond reasonable scope — broad definitions of "confidential" or indefinite durations on ordinary business info.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Non-Disclosure Agreement?

A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a contract requiring one or both parties to keep specified information confidential. NDAs can be mutual or one-way and typically have a set duration.

When does Non-Disclosure Agreement matter?

BeforeSigning catches NDAs that extend beyond reasonable scope — broad definitions of "confidential" or indefinite durations on ordinary business info.

What's an example of Non-Disclosure Agreement?

A one-way NDA signed before receiving a company's pitch deck. A mutual NDA between two companies exploring a partnership. A perpetual NDA covering trade secrets rather than ordinary confidential info.

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