Confidential and Proprietary Information Policy

Summary

This template is a confidential and proprietary information policy that is necessary to protect the company against the divulgence or misuse of confidential and proprietary information. This template includes practical guidance, drafting notes, and an optional clause. This template is intended for private employers. Employers may include this policy in an employee handbook or distribute it as a standalone policy. It is based on federal law and does not address all potential state law distinctions; thus, you should check any relevant state and local laws. This template should remind employees that the company has devoted significant time and expense to develop confidential information, taken measures to protect the secrecy of the confidential information, and that the disclosure of this information would injure the company's competitive advantage. For a full listing of key content that can be used by in-house counsel to develop, revise, and implement a company's employee and third-party-related policies, see In-House Company Policies Resource Kit. For a full listing of key content covering employee handbook considerations, see Employee Handbook Resource Kit. For a full listing of related workplace data security content, see Workplace Internal Data Security Best Practices Resource Kit. For a listing of federal government contracting resources, see Federal Government Contracting Resource Kit. For information on protecting confidential and proprietary information, see 10 Labor and Employment Law § 258.07, Confidential and Proprietary Information Policies: Key Drafting Tips, Brightmine HR & Compliance Center Policies and Procedures 5909, and Protection of Confidential or Proprietary Information Policy Drafting Checklist.